Agent is in London today to hold fresh talks with Arsenal over ‘special’ player today, but there’s a problem
The Mirror reports that Atletico Madrid believe Arsenal will hold fresh talks with Joao Felix’s agent today, but Manchester United have the ‘first option’ to sign the player.
Mikel Arteta looks set to bolster his attacking options this month after suffering a huge setback with Gabriel Jesus during the World Cup.
The Brazilian is set to be side lined for around two months but the Gunners have dealt with his absence well so far.
Eddie Nketiah has bagged two goals in three starts since the return of Premier League football but Arteta is lacking depth in the attacking department.
Of course, Arsenal are currently locked in talks with Shakhtar Donetsk over Mykhaylo Mudryk but they are also targeting a move for wantaway star Felix.
But it seems that their old rivals United will get the first option to sign the Portuguese forward, after making an initial offer on Thursday.
Atletico believe Arsenal will hold talks with Felix’s agent
The Mirror reports that United have now stepped up their attempts to land Felix and his agent, Jorge Mendes, presented their first offer this week.
The Red Devils offered a straight loan deal with a £3 million fee, as well as offering to cover the player’s wages.
Atletico have rejected the terms and are holding out for a £9.5million loan fee and a clause to buy the player for £70.5m.
The outlet claimed on Saturday that Arsenal remain interested in signing the 23-year-old and Diego Simeone’s men believe Mendes will hold fresh talks with the north Londonders today.
But Erik Ten Hag’s side are thought to have the first option to sign Felix this month and will get 48 hours to match any offer from other clubs.
Dean Jones claimed this weekend that Arsenal are willing to overpay to land the Atletico star this month.
Both Arteta and Ten Hag are in need of attacking reinforcements this month so it’s no surprise to see the clubs targeting similar players.
Arsenal seem to be prioritising a move for Mudryk but David Ornstein has suggested they could look to land the Ukrainian star as well as Felix.
Felix has been described as a ‘special’ talent and despite the fact he has struggled to find consistency in Madrid, he would be a brilliant addition to Arteta’s squad.
The forward would provide a real quality option across the front-three while being able to fill in for the injured Jesus.
