Manchester City are ready to battle arch rivals Manchester United in the race to land £100million-rated Benfica sensation Joao Felix.
Eight of the biggest clubs in Europe sent scouts to watch Felix, 19, bag a hat trick against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Europa League on Thursday night.
United and City were joined by Premier League rivals Arsenal, Tottenham and Chelsea in checking out Felix who has come through the ranks at Benfica.
The Portuguese giants are determined to keep hold of Felix, who has been labelled the next Cristiano Ronaldo, as they feel his value will only rise over the next year.
But it is thought that they will allow the playmaker to leave if anyone offers them near their valuation when the transfer window opens in the summer.
Felix’s current contract, which runs until 2023, does include a release clause of €120m (£103m).
