When Manchester City signed Fernando and Eliaquim Mangala from FC Porto, both players were much wanted.
Leading up to the transfers, it was repeatedly made clear in the Portuguese media how sensibly the English club were going about things. They had a plan, tried to be as respectful as possible, and not upset too many people along the way.
It was a long game.
Similar happened with Ederson. At the beginning of the 2016/17 season it was reported in Portugal that Manchester City were keen on the goalkeeper, who then wasn’t widely known.
Pep Guardiola had been impressed whilst manager of Bayern Munich, and it was claimed he was becoming increasingly keen on the player for his new club.
The pursuit was calm and continued for the season, and again Manchester City signed the player without a great deal of fuss.
It would be assumed this is how they’d work a move for Joao Felix, who is now being repeatedly linked.
Record have a big story on their Friday front page about Manchester City interest in both Felix and Bruno Fernandes.
Inside, there’s a separate article on Txiki Begiristain’s recent softly-softly approach.
Personally travelling to Lisbon recently to watch Benfica against Eintracht Frankfurt, Txiki found out that Felix’s parents were in the stadium. He asked if they would talk to him, and Carlos Sequeira and Carla Felix arrived to exchange a few words, in what Record call ‘an operation of charm’.
That match was Felix’s headline one to date, the 19 year old scored three goals and made an assist. Record say Txiki had actually been there to watch Luka Jovic, but had his 
attention taken by the young Benfica player instead.
It’s reiterated that Manchester City have already initiated contact over a potential signing.
Juventus interest is also mentioned, but the Portuguese newspaper states Benfica wouldn’t be keen on taking players from the Turin club as part of the deal.
Felix himself is said to look well on the idea of playing for City… ‘due to the philosophy of Guardiola’.
