The Athletic’s David Ornstein has said on NBC Sports that Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal want to sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid before they complete a deal for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhailo Mudryk.
The well-known and well-respected journalist has claimed that Arsenal want to get a loan deal done for Portugal international forward Felix done so that there is less pressure on them regarding Mudryk.
The Sun have reported that Arsenal are competing with London and Premier League rivals Chelsea for Shakhtar and Ukraine international winger Mudryk in the January transfer window.
Shakhtar want as much as £88 million in transfer fees for the 22-year-old, but Arsenal are not willing to match that asking price and have offered £62 million for the Ukraine international winger.
Atletico are open to letting Felix leave, but the former La Liga champions want a loan fee and wages paid, which comes to £19 million, according to Dharmesh Sheth has said on Sky Sports Main Event (5:22pm, January 6, 2023).
Ornstein said, as transcribed by TBR: “They are interested in Joao Felix at Atletico in a loan deal. If the numbers come down significantly from where they are now – and that’s why it’s not happening right now – then perhaps they’ll try and get that one in first. And that will take the pressure off them in the Mudryk pursuit.”
SHOULD ARSENAL SIGN JOAO FELIX ON LOAN?
If £19 million is what it would take for Arsenal to sign Joao Felix on loan for the rest of the season, then the Gunners should get a deal done.
Felix is not an out-and-out striker, but the 23-year-old can operate down the middle, out wide or in attacking midfield.
The Portugal star, who played at the 2022 Qatar World Cup, is a mobile player who can dribble, can create chances, and can score goals.
We believe that Felix would make Arsenal better and would enhance their chances of winning the Premier League title this season.
