Atletico Madrid frontman Joao Felix continues to be linked with a January transfer, with both Chelsea and Arsenal eyeing a move.
Felix has struggled to live up to the £113million price tag that Atletico paid for him back in the summer of 2019, netting just 34 times in 130 appearances for the La Liga giants. Now, the 23-year-old is available on loan after allegedly falling out with Atletico head coach Diego Simeone.
A move to the Premier League is on the cards for the Portuguese international, with Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United all mooted as potential destinations for the talented forward. The Gunners could certainly be tempted by a move for Felix considering starting no.9 Gabriel Jesus is currently sidelined following his knee injury, while the Blues are looking for big improvements with their season in jeopardy.
READ MORE: What Cristiano Ronaldo said about Joao Felix as Chelsea close in on Atletico Madrid transfer
With that in mind, football.london has taken a look at all the latest news linking Felix with a move away from the Spanish capital.
Atletico target Felix replacement
With Felix expected to make a temporary move and Matheus Cunha already out the door, Atletico are said to be eyeing a replacement with reports in Spain naming Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a possible candidate.
According to AS, Getafe striker Enes Unal is reportedly on the top of the list of candidates, as is Borja Iglesias from Real Betis. However, the Spanish side have targeted Aubameyang alongside Andre Silva and Blues transfer target Marcus Thuram.
Should Atletico make a move for Thuram, it would rule out a move for the France international out to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have reportedly opened talks for the Borussia Monchengladbach striker over a possible January deal but have the option to wait until the summer upon the expiry of his contract.
Verbal agreement reached with Chelsea
Chelsea are close to signing Joao Felix on a loan deal until the end of the season, football.london understands.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid, beating off interest from Arsenal and Manchester United.
Their report adds that Felix is said to have been attracted by the project at Chelsea with the Blues expected to pay an €11million (£9.7million) fee, which is below what Atletico initially wanted.
United decision
As per our sister title the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United are interested in veteran centre-forward Wout Weghorst and Erik ten Hag's side are confident of completing a loan move for the Dutch international. However, Portuguese outlet A Bola have now claimed that Weghorst will not be offered the chance to wear the Red Devils' famous no. 7 shirt, an honour that CEO Richard Arnold is said to have promised the Portuguese international instead.
Atletico Madrid's president admission
Atletico Madrid’s president provided an update on Felix’s transfer situation. Speaking to Carrusel Deportivo via Fabrizio Romano, Enrique Cerezo said: "In life there’s nothing impossible but it’s normal for João Félix to stay at Atlético Madrid."
Arsenal permanent option
Arsenal are set to hold fresh talks over a move for Joao Felix in the coming days and, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, the north London side are looking to add a buy option within a loan deal. It would see the Gunners able to trigger a permanent stay at the end of the season for the Portugal international if he joins, with the side setting a price of £70million for any clause.
Man Utd offer
According to Relevo, Manchester United have taken the first steps to signing Felix with Jorge Mendes involved in a meeting with Atletico CEO Gil Marin on Thursday, January 5.
The agent has ties with United having been Cristiano Ronaldo's agent until recently and could broker a deal for the club, though both sides are attempting to negotiate better structural terms. United's offer is a straight loan without an obligation or option to buy and also falls short of the total €21million (£18.5million) package.
The reported offer is worth just £4million in loan fees plus wages, but Atletico want up to three times more than that fee to secure the six-month loan.
Simeone makes key decision
Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone has left Joao Felix out of his 23-man squad for the Copa del Rey clash against Real Oviedo. Felix scored in the recent league win against Elche but will not be able to repeat the same feat in the cup action on Wednesday.
The decision comes amid interest from Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Utd and despite the £18.5million loan package providing a financial stumbling block for those three clubs, Felix could still leave in January if those demands are lowered.
Arsenal 'secret agent'
Arsenal have a 'secret agent' they can rely on to help persuade Joao Felix to sign for the Gunners in January. Felix maintains contact with his former Atletico team-mate Thomas Partey, who switched to the Emirates in October 2020, and that could help Arsenal convince him if the move comes down to a personal choice, according to The Athletic.
The 28-cap Portugal forward does have international team-mates at Manchester United too, of course.
Martin Odegaard example
According to The Athletic, the Gunners like the 23-year-old forward and some influential figures at the club believe he would be an ideal addition, especially on loan. The current Premier League leaders see a deal for Felix as similar to the initial loan that brought Martin Odegaard from Real Madrid to the Emirates Stadium - with the north Londoners providing an opportunity for the player to reignite their career and potential to earn a permanent move in the summer.
£18.5m obstacle
According to The Athletic, Felix's agent, Jorge Mendes, has contacted multiple English clubs to lay out possible terms for a loan until the summer. Initial conversations have focused on a €21million (£18.5million) package for the remainder of this season, with a €15million (£13.2million) loan fee going to Atletico, and the rest covering the player’s wages.
Arsenal and Chelsea are both looking to sign an attacker, but neither are prepared to pay the requested loan fee and Felix's salary. The two London clubs are thought to be open to negotiating a loan deal worth around half of the current asking price from Atletico and the player.
Given that the size of the current package being offered to Premier League clubs is considered too expensive, even for a club with United’s resources, it shows that Arsenal and Chelsea will need the loan fee and salary to come down significantly before a deal can be agreed. Atletico and Mendes may lower their demands as the January transfer window progresses given Felix's desire to leave the Spanish club and get his career back on track.
Further future hint
Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone has shed more light on the future of Joao Felix at the club amid links with an exit in the January transfer window. The striker scored for Los Rojiblancos against Elche, to which he responded: "While he’s here, I'll try to get the best out of Joao Felix for the club. Then we will see what’s gonna happen."
Diego Simeone opens the door for Felix to stay
It seems more than likely the Portuguese will depart Atletico Madrid either this January or in the summer, but manager Diego Simeone has left the door open in case Felix wants to come back in.
"It’s a good, working relationship," Simeone said.
"Since I’ve been at the club I’ve never stopped, beyond some differences that exist between people, and we can’t agree on everything, looking to do the best by the club, until the last day whether it’s me or the footballers. [It’s about] Giving everyone’s maximum."
Simeone stated that if Felix brought his Portugal form back to Madrid, he would be a crucial part of the team. "What matters to me is the team and he is important to the team," he added.
"If he shows us what we saw in the World Cup, he will be very important. He has the conditions and talent and the team needs his qualities."
Huge boost
Arsenal and Chelsea have been handed a huge boost in the race for Joao Felix as the Telegraph reports that rivals Manchester United are currently "put off" the loan terms required to land the striker this January.
Atletico Madrid are said to be unwilling to sanction the sale of the Portugal international, but an £8million loan fee with his full wages paid could be enough to get a short-term deal done.
Chelsea battle
Chelsea have joined Arsenal in the battle for Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix this January, according to a report from the Telegraph. The Portugal international is said to be available on a loan deal in the window, with plenty of interest coming from the Premier League.
football.london understands that Chelsea have scouted a potential move for Felix.
Arsenal and Man Utd advantage
Two clubs have been told they will likely battle for the services of Felix, with Paris Saint-Germain, who had been deemed as favourites said to be "not interested" in Felix. According to le10Sport, the 23-year-old looks Premier League bound with Man United and Arsenal set for a straight battle to sign Felix from Atletico
£8m bargain offer
Arsenal have been offered the chance to land Joao Felix on a loan in January for just £8million, according to a report from the Daily Record. The Gunners are amongst a host of clubs that are linked, including the likes of Man United, Chelsea and PSG, with the loan deal covering his full wages but with no obligation to buy.
Felix preference revealed
Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio told Dutch outlet Soccernews that a move to Paris Saint-Germain over Arsenal is what the 23-year-old prefers.
"I don't think that Joao Felix will go to Arsenal because he wants to play for Paris Saint-Germain," Di Marzio said.
"Paris Saint-Germain would be a logical choice if he does leave Atletico. After all, there are not that many clubs that can afford to pay him and PSG are interested in young players for the future.
"They would have cover from Mbappe or Neymar. Or so that they have a replacement when Messi's contract expires."
United consider huge bid
As per ESPN, United have been alerted to Felix's availability in January, although Atletico Madrid's valuation of around €100million (£86million) is problematic. One option being considered is presenting a loan offer in January with an obligation to make the move permanent.
Gunners lead race
As per Marca, Arsenal are leading the race to sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid. Aston Villa are also interested in signing the Brazilian and Unai Emery's arrival, as well as it being a move that has a lot of financial potential, means that it's one he's considering. The problem for the Villains, though, is that at the moment, their team and Birmingham as a city aren't overly attractive to Felix.
Arsenal enter race with 'great force'
A number of clubs have shown an interest in Felix with Paris-Saint Germain and Manchester United listed by @PatriciaCazon as the two teams initially showing the most interest.
Arsenal can now be included in that category being described as a team that have 'entered that list with force’ as Felix could be their answer to the absence of Jesus.
Bayern Munich decision
Arsenal and Chelsea have been given a boost in their pursuit of Joao Felix following the report that one club have pulled out of the race to acquire his services.
Mundo Deportivo are now reporting that Bayern are no longer interested in Felix giving Chelsea and Arsenal a transfer boost.
Read more here
Felix's Atletico admission
With Felix away from domestic duties, he appeared to be having much more joy in a free-flowing Portugal attack and his comments indicate that he's currently not enjoying his football in Spain.
"The way of playing with Portugal and then at the club is different. When the conditions are favourable, things go better," he told Sport Tv.
CEO claim
Atletico have certainly not been shy when discussing the future of Felix, with CEO Gil Marin handing an update on his future which was certainly a boost for a number of interested clubs.
Marin said: "Joao Felix has top level but because of his relationship with Simeone and game time… we feel that makes sense to consider potential bids to sell him."
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