Arsenal reportedly interested in signing ‘world-class’ player who Kieran Trippier says is ‘very special’

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Arsenal are now interested in Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix – a player who Kieran Trippier has labelled a ‘very special’ talent.

Journalist Paul Brown told GiveMeSport yesterday that the Gunners board are huge fans of Felix and have been watching him for a long time.

Felix has struggled to nail down his place in Diego Simeone’s side this season, having started five games out of 12 as a substitute.

The talented Portuguese forward registered three assists on the opening day of the La Liga season against Getafe. But he’s not been involved in a single goal since.

With Arsenal on the lookout for attacking reinforcements to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad, it seems they could turn their attention to Felix.

Felix a ‘very special’ player

Felix completed a massive move to Atletico from Benfica for £113 million back in 2019 (BBC). He became the fifth most expensive player of all time when the move went through.

The talented forward has put in some promising displays for Atletico but has failed to hit the heights he was expected to reach by now.

But Newcastle United defender Kieran Trippier played with the 22-year-old in Spain and said he can become a ‘world-class’ player after watching his display against Manchester United earlier this year.

“Joao is very special,” Trippier told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“He is a very special player. He has had a difficult time at Atletico, but when he has performed, he has done.

“To be fair, he is quite good in the air. When I played with him, the way he attacks the ball. Many people won’t see that in his game, but he is very good in the air.

“He has changed his physique compared to when he first arrived and his energy levels as well. He is much fitter than when he first arrived.

“Joao has got all the ability in the world to be a world-class player, but if he’s not doing the things the manager demands in training, then he’s not going to play – after his performance tonight, hopefully, he gets more games starting.” as transcribed by HITC.

Arsenal are in need of adding real depth to Arteta’s attacking options. The Spaniard boasts a frightening front-three in Gabriel Jesus, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli.

But if any of these three were to get injured, the drop-off in quality would be huge.

Felix is capable of playing across the front-three and even as an attacking midfielder. The Portugal international would provide a top-class option for Arteta.

He hasn’t quite reached his full potential in Spain but you get the feeling that he is being held back by Simeone’s style of play. Under Arteta, Felix could flourish and would fit the profile of a young and exciting player.