BREAKING: After talks with agent, club are now waiting for Arsenal to bid for ‘world-class’ player
Atletico Madrid are now reportedly waiting for Arsenal to make a proposal to sign star attacker Joao Felix, with the Gunners in talks with Jorge Mendes to bring the Portuguese international to north London.
According to O Jogo, the La Liga side are anticipating an offer from Arsenal that could see Felix soon sign for Mikel Arteta’s side, with the Premier League leaders seemingly in front of rival clubs to sign the 23-year-old forward this month.
Lauded by former Liverpool star Jose Enrique as ‘world-class’, Felix is arguably the most high-profile player available in the transfer market this January. And with Manchester United seemingly looking to sign Burnley striker Wout Weghorst, Arsenal could now be in the clear the land the Atletico outcast.
With Chelsea also pulling away in the race for long-term Arteta target Mykhaylo Mudryk, Felix is slowly emerging as Arsenal’s best shot at bringing in an attacking reinforcement this month, though the idea of signing the 23-year-old still has many supporters split down the middle.
Indeed, Felix isn’t a natural winger and doesn’t provide sufficient cover for the likes of Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli. And with Eddie Nketiah impressing in Gabriel Jesus’ absence, there seems to be no real spot for the former Benfica wonderkid in the Arsenal XI.
However, that’s not to say Felix won’t serve a role for Arsenal if a deal is completed. And based on Arteta’s record of getting through to younger players, the 23-year-old could find north London to be a great new home for the coming year if the Gunners boss can get the squad balance right.
The general feel around the transfer market seems to indicate that Felix will end up at Arsenal with Mudryk signing for Chelsea. And for Arteta, bringing the Portuguese international to north London will be the 40-year-old manager’s biggest risk yet.
After all, Felix is a player with all the talent in the world and how was once tipped to become one of the best in football. However, Arsenal’s current squad and tactics don’t have any real openings for the youngster to showcase his best abilities, and Arteta will be in the firing line if a deal fails to come off.
