The Mail report that Arsenal have made an enquiry over a move to sign Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix on loan, but would have to pay an £8million fee – something which Jose Enrique has urged Liverpool to do in January.
Felix, 23, is struggling to prove his enormous £114million transfer fee at Atletico Madrid. His relationship with boss Diego Simeone is deteriorating, and Simeone’s pragmatic approach has limited Felix’s attacking flair at Atleti.
This season, Felix has managed just four goals and three assists in 18 appearances. Just 51 goal involvements have come since Felix joined Atleti in 2019 – clocking up 129 outings. Much more was expected of the Portugal star.
So, Atleti are willing to loan him out – provided they receive a fee of £8m. That loan fee has put both Chelsea and Manchester United off – but Arsenal have made an enquiry. Enrique responded, urging Liverpool to do the same.
Enrique urges Liverpool to pay £8million loan fee for Felix
Liverpool have just completed a move to sign Cody Gakpo for the best part of £50million, with add-ons included. The Reds are likely to dip back into the market – but a move for Felix, on loan, seems unlikely. The loan fee is big.
While they would get more than 20 games out of Felix if he remains fit, £8million is a big amount of money. Is he good enough to play, as Enrique suggests, as an eight? He is best out wide or as a 10 – not normally as an eight.
He would have more defensive responsibility if deployed in that role. So, while Felix is as Enrique says, a “world-class talent”, he is no longer needed at Anfield given the Reds have signed Gakpo. Very expensive, on loan.
Indeed, the Reds are better off scouring the market and paying a bit more to sign a no.8 on a permanent basis. They do still have the likes of Curtis Jones, Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and others that can play in that role.
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