Report: Arsenal will now have to break their transfer record to sign ‘very special’ attacker in January

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has a big problem to solve that didn’t exist before the World Cup.

The injury to Gabriel Jesus has provided Arteta with a conundrum as the January transfer window approaches.

Arteta has several options at his disposal right now.

He could put his faith in Eddie Nketiah, who has been a steady back-up at The Emirates over the past few seasons.

Although he’s yet to score a league goal this campaign, Nketiah is a natural goal scorer.

However, he doesn’t have the same all-round game that Jesus offers Arsenal.

Arteta could also recall Folarin Balogun from his very successful spell at Stade Reims.

The 21-year-old would likely sacrifice regular minutes in France to be an option off the bench.

The Evening Standard now suggest that Arsenal want to sign Portuguese forward Joao Felix.

However, Atletico Madrid are demanding £86m for the 23-year-old, which would be a transfer record for Arsenal.

Arsenal want to sign Felix, it could cost a fortune

The report also suggests that a number of suitors for Felix may prefer a loan move with an option to buy.

However, any loan is likely to have a ‘sizeable loan fee’.

The ‘very special’ attacker joined Atletico Madrid in 2019 for £113m.

Diego Simeone has never been able to get the very best out of Felix, and club CEO Gil Martin has said it’s ‘reasonable’ that he’ll leave in January.

Arsenal may want to sign Felix, but will face plenty of competition.

Felix can play as a central forward, but typically functions off the left.

Arteta may think twice about breaking Arsenal’s transfer record to cover for one injury.

Nketiah’s confidence would likely take a knock too if he was replaced at the first sign of being needed.

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