---
title: "Arsenal: Gunners now ‘in talks’ about Joao Felix"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/arsenal-joao-felix-transfer-news/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dominic Lund"
section: "Arsenal News"
published: "2022-12-20T17:40:19Z"
modified: "2022-12-20T17:40:19Z"
---

# Arsenal: Gunners now ‘in talks’ about Joao Felix

**Arsenal are now ‘in talks’ with the agent of Atletico Madrid forward [Joao Felix](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/tag/joao-felix/) regarding a January transfer switch, according to a new report.**

### The Lowdown: Arsenal’s striker issues

With Gabriel Jesus undergoing [surgery](https://www.arsenal.com/news/gabriel-jesus-undergoes-surgery) for a knee injury earlier this month, the Guardian subsequently [claimed](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/dec/06/arsenal-gabriel-jesus-could-be-out-for-three-months-knee-surgery) that the Brazilian could be out for up to three months while he recovers, in a blow to Arsenal’s hopes of winning the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) title.

If the Gunners still want to compete with the likes of Manchester City for top spot, manager Mikel Arteta will need to strengthen his frontline, especially considering existing replacement Eddie Nketiah amassed just [five](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/eddie-nketiah/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/340324) goals in 21 league appearances last season.

Now, however, the Spaniard appears to have identified a new striker to bolster his attacking ranks, with an approach recently being made for Felix, who is believed to be valued at [£87m](https://www.football-espana.net/2022/12/02/atletico-madrid-set-e100m-asking-price-for-joao-felix) by his current employers.

### The Latest: Felix in Arteta’s sights

According to Corriere dello Sport, via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/arsenal-talks-forwards-agent-phone-hot-tries-take-client-away-january/), the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, wants to arrange a transfer away from the La Liga club for his client, with Manchester United said to be at the front of the queue and Arsenal ‘giving it a good go’.

The Gunners are allegedly ‘in talks’ with Mendes, but Edu will have to do battle for the deal with other interest from Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

### The Verdict: Worth it?

While it is evident that the Gunners need a new option in attack, spending £87m on a player is a decision that needs to be analysed fully, rather than rushed into due to an injury.

Journalist Josh Bunting has [lauded](https://twitter.com/Buntingfootball/status/1345783844704833536?s=20&t=yTkkZh_EPHHb8NAQaq7w8g) the Portugal international as being ‘sensational’, and he has a good record to back this description up, weighing in with [33](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joao-felix/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/462250) goals and 18 assists in 129 appearances for Atletico Madrid.

That said, it is not a return that would justify the outlay that is currently expected, with Ferran Torres also being [linked](https://sportbild.bild.de/fussball/premier-league/fussball/premier-league-holt-arsenal-diesen-lewandowski-kollegen-als-jesus-ersatz-82224304.sport.html) with a switch to the Emirates Stadium and having proven Premier League experience to boot, notching [12](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ferran-torres/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/398184) goal contributions in 28 league games for Manchester City.

If Felix was available for a lower amount or on a loan deal, then he would be a worthwhile signing, but Arteta should turn his attentions elsewhere if Atletico are unwilling to negotiate.