Arsenal are chasing the signature of Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix – and Jorge Mendes may push to get him out the Spanish capital.
Arsenal are desperate for a new striker this summer with both Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah out of contract at the end of the season.
A host of names have been linked with Arsenal of late, and Felix is one of the most intriguing rumours.
Football London reported just last month that Arsenal are interested in signing Felix this summer.
Atletico were allegedly keen to recoup some money on Felix having splashed a staggering £120million to sign him in 2019.
Considered a wonderkid at Benfica, Felix hit 20 goals in 43 games during his only season in the Benfica first team.
Atletico swooped in to buy him as Antoine Griezmann’s successor but the goals haven’t quite flowed as easily.
Felix is yet to score more than 10 goals in a season for Atletico and Arsenal seemingly believe they can get more out of him.
Branded ‘magnificent’ by Atletico president Enrique Cerezo, Felix could be the striker Mikel Arteta is seeking.
Felix isn’t a classic number nine but can drop in and create, attributes that have kept Lacazette an important player.
If Arsenal needed any encouragement over a deal for Felix, then there appears to be some emanating from Spain.
SPORT report that Barcelona would like to sign Felix and Jorge Mendes is seemingly ready to make a summer exit happen.
Atletico don’t want to sell but super-agent Mendes is ready to push for a transfer if Atletico miss out on Champions League qualification.
Saturday’s 1-0 defeat at Mallorca means means Atletico are in danger of losing fourth spot in La Liga to Real Betis or Real Sociedad.
Should that happen, Mendes wants to get Felix out of Atletico and onto a new challenge.
That would imply that Felix needs to be playing in the Champions League moving forward and Arsenal are in a real battle for that honour.
If Arsenal miss out, don’t expect to see Felix at the Emirates Stadium any time soon. If they succeed, Arsenal may just stand a real chance.
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