Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix when the transfer window reopens in the summer.
Mikel Arteta wants to bolster his attacking options after Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s departure to Barcelona on a free transfer in the January window. With Folarin Balogun out on loan with Championship side Middlesbrough, the Spanish tactician is left with just Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah as forward options.
While his loan options will be back for consideration in the summer, their current predicament shows how threadbare Arteta’s overall options are in this department.
According to El Chiringuito (via Sport Witness), Arsenal are keen on striking a deal for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix. However, the Spanish champions will only sell the Portuguese international if they can recoup some of the £120m fee spent to buy him from Benfica in 2019.
Joao Felix, 22, has struggled to live up to the hefty price tag at Atletico Madrid, managing a tally of only 24 goals and 14 assists in 101 games so far. The Portuguese forward is ill-suited to Diego Simeone’s system and while the Atletico tactician has tried to alter his style of play and make the team a bit more attacking, he has flattered to deceive.
Having splashed a lot of money and beat huge competition for his signature in the process, Simeone will only be content to let Joao Felix leave at the end of the season if the Rojiblancos can replace him with Valencia star Goncalo Guedes, the report adds.
Joao Felix to Arsenal—Will he be a good option for the Gunners?
Arsenal are primed to make big moves in the summer transfer window after failing to make any signings in the past January window. Reinforcing the striker department has to be one of Mikel Arteta’s top priorities heading into the next season.
The Gunners’ interest in Joao Felix stems from the uncertainties surrounding the futures of Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah. Both the strikers are out of contracts at the end of the season and as of now look likely to leave the club in the summer, thereby creating the need for a versatile forward like Felix.
Felix has not kicked on at Atletico Madrid in the last 15-18 months and perhaps a change in scenery would help him reignite his floundering career. A move to Arsenal could work out for the 22-year-old, with Mikel Arteta slowly but steadily building an exciting young team.
Operating majorly as a second striker, the Portuguese international can also lead the attack, play out wide as well as in the hole. Blessed with a great turn of pace and quick feet, he can create opportunities out of nothing, skip past players without breaking a sweat and set up his teammates with inch-perfect through balls or crosses. Also, Felix is an accomplished finisher in front of goal and would represent a smart long-term replacement for Lacazette.
However, having spent an eye-watering fee for the Portuguese starlet’s services three years back, it is no wonder Atletico Madrid are keen on recouping some of the money. Despite Felix not hitting the heights as expected at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano, Arsenal must spend big to secure his signature.