Journalist and transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has backed up reports of Arsenal having 'conversations' with Joao Felix's agent over a possible January move to the Emirates Stadium.
The Lowdown: Arsenal talks
As per Corriere dello Sport (via Sport Witness), the 23-year-old's agent Jorge Mendes wants to arrange a move away from Atletico Madrid for his client, with Manchester United said to be at the front of the queue and the Gunners ‘giving it a good go’.
Mikel Arteta's side are reportedly ‘in talks’ with Mendes, but Edu will need to do battle for the deal with other interest from the likes of Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.
The Latest: Felix talks 'true'
Speaking to GiveMeSport, Romano has backed up reports of Arsenal having talks with Felix's agent over a potential move in the January transfer window, but admits that they may struggle to sign the player if he is set to cost more than €100m (£88m).
The Italian stated: “It’s true they had conversations with his agent, Jorge Mendes. But it depends on the conditions of the deal because if it’s more than €100million, I think it is going to be difficult.”
The Verdict: Loan deal would be perfect
The Daily Record have claimed that Atletico are prepared to let Felix leave on loan in January, which would be perfect for Arsenal in terms of avoiding any potentially huge outlay on the player.
Lauded as a ‘special talent’ by Romano, the striker was a standout player for Portugal in the World Cup in Qatar. He scored one goal and supplied two assists in four starts (Transfermarkt) before his country were knocked out by Morocco in the quarter-finals, showing the kind of promise that persuaded Atletico to pay an eye-watering £113m to sign him from Benfica in 2019.
He has largely flattered to deceive at club level considering his price tag, with just 33 goals in 129 games for Atletico in all competitions, but at just 23 years of age, Felix still has plenty of time to get his career back on track.
Nonetheless, with Gabriel Jesus out injured until the spring, potentially signing the Portuguese gem on loan in January could prove to be a masterstroke by the Gunners.