Journalist: PSG are beating Arsenal in the race to sign £86 million forward

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CBS reporter Ben Jacobs has claimed that PSG are leading the race to sign Arsenal target Joao Felix.

As recently as in October, journalist Paul Brown told GiveMeSport that the Gunners hierarchy were huge admirers of the £86 million-rated (The Times) attacker.

David Ornstein has even mentioned in a report by the Athletic that the former Benfica wonderkid is one of the club’s primary targets in January.

Currently, the North Londoners are in desperate need of a player of Felix’s profile, after Gabriel Jesus suffered a lengthy knee injury.

With Arsenal handing themselves the golden opportunity of becoming Premier League champions, losing a No.9 that brought so much to the table in terms of his all-round game is a major blow.

However, Joao Felix showcased at the World Cup, and in flashes at Atleti that he too is an incredibly complete attacker.

From his link-up play and ability to manoeuvre out of tight spaces right down to racking up goals and assists, it’s easy to see why Arsenal may have considered the ex-Benfica hero as the ideal plan B for Jesus.

PSG are ahead of Arsenal in the Felix race

But to the club’s disappointment, Ben Jacobs has told The Football Terrace that PSG are ahead of Arsenal in the race to sign Joao Felix.

“I would say at the moment, they [Arsenal] made serious advances on the player’s side, but are still working out whether there’s market value and if there’s any cut price deal because of how badly he wants to leave [Atleti].”

Jacobs continued, “They’re nowhere near as advanced as other clubs potentially in the race for Joao Felix. Now the World Cup is ending, and Felix’s point of view has ended, things are going to escalate a lot quicker. I do think it’s fair to say that Arsenal have Felix on the radar.”

“But there are other clubs further along and PSG are the front runner at this stage.”

Considering the Parisians already have Lionel Messi, Neymar and Kylian Mbappe at their disposal, only time will tell whether Joao Felix is put off by the competition, and assesses joining a club like Arsenal instead.