Arsenal’s summer is set to be a big one, but even the most ambitious fan would not have considered a move for Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix.
However, according to Eduardo Inda, of El Chiringuito TV, that is precisely one of Mikel Arteta’s targets. He told the show:
“Joao Félix is a very good player. Arsenal want him.
“Simeone, if he continues, wants to bring in [Goncalo] Guedes. His objective is to change Joao Félix for Guedes.
“The problem Atletico have is that he cost €120m, and getting him back is something that can only be done if he is sold to the Premier League.”
Felix has had a tricky time of things since joining Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019, in a deal worth 120 million euros. In his 100 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side, he has produced just 23 goals and 14 assists, far from what was expected of him when the move was announced for the Portuguese prodigy.
Price the major issue
The problem for Atletico is the price-tag. It is going to be incredibly difficult to shift Felix for anything like the fee which they paid for him, and while they would likely get the most money out of selling to the Premier League, there are few obvious landing spots for the 22-year-old.
Under contract until 2026, there is a feeling that his future will depend on that of Diego Simeone’s, something that may not be decided until the end of the campaign.
Should Arsenal sign him, it would be both a major coup and a significant statement of intent from Mikel Arteta.
