JUST IN: Arsenal set for crucial talks to sign £70m star – Club has agreed to accept Arsenal’s offer and 70£ fee to seal permanent summer transfer
Arsenal have reportedly scheduled talks with Atlético Madrid to sign Joao Felix this January and the Gunners think this round of negotiation could be crucial to get a deal done, as per the CBS Sports journalist Ben Jacobs.
Following Gabriel Jesus’ injury, Mikel Arteta’s side are seemingly keen on strengthening their forward department this month in order to maintain a serious title charge. And it has widely been touted that Mykhaylo Mudryk and Joao Felix are their top targets to bolster the front line.
The Gunners have already accelerated their efforts to sign Mudryk this winter and have tabled two official bids to purchase the Ukrainian international. However, a recent report claimed that Arsenal’s latest offer is £17m short of Shakhtar Donetsk’s £88m valuation.
David Ornstein previously reported that signing Mudryk could be time-consuming for Arsenal this January. So, the Gunners could finalise a deal for Felix ahead of the Shakhtar ace this month.
Felix to Arsenal
Writing on Twitter, Ben Jacobs has now stated that Arsenal have scheduled contact with Atlético to discuss a potential move for Felix this month. And the club’s hierarchy believe this round of talks could ‘lead to a more attractive proposition’.
The Journalist further claims that Arsenal want to sign the talented forward on an initial loan deal of around £5m with an option to make that move permanent for a fee of around £70m next summer. However, Atletico want an £8m loan fee and don’t want to let their star leave for anything less than £90m.
Jacobs also says that signing Felix won’t be easy for Arsenal as Premier League rival Manchester United are also eyeing a move for the Portuguese international this winter.
It has previously been reported that after falling out with Diego Simeone, the 23-year-old is keen on leaving Estadio Wanda Metropolitano this month. And it will be interesting to see whether Arsenal will be able to win the race for him this January.
Felix is deemed one of the best young talents in world football so signing him along with Mudryk would strengthen the Gunners’ attack which would help Arteta in mounting a title charge this season.
