Todd Boehly has already handed Chelsea a huge advantage in the race to sign Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix. The 23-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League recently after the Spanish giants' CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin confirmed that it would be reasonable for the club to consider bids for the forward.
According to The Athletic, Aston Villa have emerged as a potential destination for the Portugal international due to the club's newly-formed 'strong' relationship with his agent, Jorge Mendes, following the appointment of Unai Emery as manager. However, the Villans are not the only Premier League side plotting a move for Felix.
Spanish outlet Marca state that Arsenal are leading the race to sign the Portuguese star with Mikel Arteta intent of compensating for Gabriel Jesus' absence. The Gunners striker has undergone successful knee surgery but it is too soon to formalise a return date, football.london understand.
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In March, football.london understood that Arsenal were interested in signing the Felix with Arteta eager to bolster his frontline following the exits of Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. But, at the time, the Atletico star was deemed untouchable but they look to have since had a change of heart.
While the north Londoners appear to be a prominent force in the race to sign Felix, Chelsea may already have the upper hand. According to The Athletic, Boehly met with Mendes in Portugal over the summer to discuss 'a number of topics'.
Cristiano Ronaldo was reportedly one of several players mentioned when the American billionaire held a meeting with the super-agent. While it remains to be seen whether Felix's name was also a topic of conversation in said meeting, Boehly is known to have a relationship with Mendes which could come in handy later down the line.
Last week, speaking to TVE as quoted by Marca, Atletico chief Gil Marin spoke on Felix, who the Evening Standard say has been given a £86million price tag. He said: "Signing him was the biggest bet the club has made in its history.
"I think he is a top world-class player, but because of the relationship with the coach, his playing time, his motivation... It'd be reasonable to analyse an option for him to depart if one arrives. It's reasonable to think that he might leave, although I'd love him to stay. But, that's not the player's plan."
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