Daily Star journalist Paul Brown has told Give Me Sport that Arsenal have been interested in signing Atletico Madrid superstar Joao Felix for some time – and that even the Gunners hierarchy are “big fans” of the Portugal international.
Felix, 22, is enduring a difficult season in which he has failed to score a single goal in his 12 appearances for Diego Simeone’s side. He has laid on three assists. Clocking up 123 appearances for Atleti, he has 47 goal involvements.
But the belief is that Simeone’s defensive style of play hast stifled Felix. Normally a regular in the side, this season he has been dropped to a rotational player. He has started only seven of his 12 games, completing 90 minutes once.
Bought for an enormous £107million in 2019, Felix has a release clause worth £305million. But the chances of Atleti getting anything near that, or the fee they paid, is unlikely. Indeed, a figure less than £100million is much more likely.
Brown says that Arsenal have been tracking Felix for some time, keeping tabs on his situation. Interestingly, he also says the Arsenal board – which seems to be run by Josh Kroenke – are also huge admirers of the Atleti playmaker.
“Arsenal have, for a long time, looked at Joao Felix. I think he’s known very well to some of the hierarchy there. They are big fans and have been for quite a while,” Star journalist Brown said, when talking to Give Me Sport.
Arsenal interested in Felix and hierarchy are big fans
What a signing Felix would be for Arsenal. He certainly fits the criteria. Champions League quality, within the bracket of 20 to 25, but already very experienced. He has played 166 club games, and won 22 caps, all by the age of just 22.
The issue Felix now has, is turning huge potential into proven quality. This season, he is falling by the wayside a little at Atleti. But many clubs will know that it is Simeone’s defensive style of play that is harnessing the versatile attacker.
In a free-flowing Arsenal side surrounded by Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, there is no doubt he would thrive. Whether Arsenal actually need him is another story, but he is a wonderful player.
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