Arsenal are reportedly interested in signing Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix in the January transfer window.
The Portugal international, 23, who played at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, wants to leave Atletico Madrid and the club will be listening to offers for their all-time record signing. After a decent World Cup campaign, where Portugal were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Morocco, a lot of clubs are circling for the attacker’s signature.
According to Spanish newspaper MARCA, Arsenal are the frontrunners to sign Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix, ahead of Chelsea, Manchester United, Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain.
Felix was one of his nation’s star performers in Qatar, bagging a goal and two assists in four games. After his encouraging displays at the World Cup, it is likely any club looking to sign the forward will have to spend big as he is contracted to Atletico Madrid until 2026.
Joao Felix to Arsenal—Can he take them to the next level?
Joao Felix became Atletico Madrid’s record signing in 2019 when he joined from Benfica for £114million. However, he has struggled to live up to the massive price tag and expectations of the Atletico fans over the years, with Diego Simeone’s defensive style of play understood to be one of the major reasons for the player’s lacklustre displays at the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
The Portuguese forward has made only nine starts for Atletico in the first part of this campaign, registering four goals and three assists. Felix’s relationship with Diego Simeone seems to have broken down this season, with Atletico now apparently willing to part ways with their record signing.
Arsenal are looking to take advantage of the Portuguese’s situation at the La Liga club. They have been dealt with a big blow after Gabriel Jesus suffered a knee injury on international duty with Brazil. Jesus has undergone successful knee surgery which should rule him out for up to three months, thereby, leaving manager Mikel Arteta with Eddie Nketiah as the only recognised striker.
The Brazil international’s injury opens up the possibility of Arsenal entering the transfer market for a striker. Mikel Arteta will be keen to make the most use of the January transfer window to aid his team’s explosive first part of the 2022/23 campaign. And a player like Felix could benefit the Gunners massively.
Joao Felix can play out wide, as a false nine or in the hole behind the striker, and would instantly improve Arsenal’s attack. He’s a top-class forward, despite his tender age, but his talents have not been utilised to the fullest by Simeone at Atletico Madrid. Under Arteta, the Portuguese could find his lost mojo and realise his true potential whilst taking the Gunners to a new level.
As Felix wants to leave Atletico, Arsenal must surely look to bring down the hefty price the Spanish club are expected to quote to sign the player in January. If they manage to secure his signature, the Portugal international would definitely be a massive statement signing and boost the Gunners’ hopes of winning the Premier League title.