Arsenal are favourites ahead of Manchester United to sign Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix on loan during the January transfer window, The Record’s Duncan Castles claims.
The Gunners are in the pursuit of a new striker next month following the knee injury for Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian could potentially be out for another 10 weeks after his surgery.
Felix has been regularly linked with the club over the past few weeks, and it is now reported that he could be available on loan without an option or obligation to buy next summer.
The amortisation cost on the forward’s seven-year contract amounts to £16 million per season and Atletico reportedly want 50 per cent of the fee paid for a loan transfer this winter.
Aside from this, they expect the player’s wages to be covered in full. Arsenal and United are interested in the Portuguese but it is claimed that talks are ‘more advanced’ with the Gunners.
Arsenal have excellent chance to sign Felix
Felix is determined to leave Atletico Madrid this winter after falling out with manager Diego Simeone over playing time. He has managed just 818 minutes of first-team football.
It appears the Premier League could be his next destination and the Gunners now have the upper hand as they could guarantee him a regular starting role amid Jesus’ untimely injury.
The Portuguese would be a clear upgrade on Eddie Nketiah in terms of quality and experience. The 23-year-old has an excellent chance to prove his credentials before Jesus makes his return.
Aside from the £8m loan fee, the north London giants will also have to pay his £240,000-a-week wages over the course of his temporary spell at the club.
If he were to stay until May 31, the cost of the temporary deal would be nearly £13m, but it is a risk that Arsenal must take if they want to beat Manchester City to the Premier League title.
Felix has scored or assisted in every 116 minutes for Atletico this term. The intricate but exciting attacking football under manager Mikel Arteta could bring the best out of him at Arsenal.
