Report: Club want to sell their 'world-class' player to the Premier League with Arsenal keen to sign him

By Milo Clay

Goal reports that Atletico Madrid want to sell Joao Felix to the Premier League, with Arsenal apparently keen on signing him. 

Mikel Arteta has been handed a huge blow during the World Cup break as Gabriel Jesus suffered a knee injury last week. 

The 25-year-old made his first start of the tournament for Brazil but was forced off with a knee injury against Cameroon. ESPN reports that he could now be facing up to three months on the sidelines. 

The Gunners may now be forced to dip into the market in January and Felix looks set to move away from Atletico. 

CEO of the La Liga outfit, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, said of Felix: “Signing him was the biggest bet the club has made in its history.

“I think he is a top world-class player, but because of the relationship with the coach, his playing time, his motivation… it’d be reasonable to analyse an option for him to depart if one arrives.

“It’s reasonable to think that he might leave, although I’d love him to stay. But that’s not the player’s plan.”

Now, it seems likely that the Spanish giants would prefer to sell Felix to a Premier League side and Arsenal are said to be keen. 

Atletico want to sell Felix to Premier League 

Goal reports that there are a host of English sides interested in Felix, including Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa. 

While Bayern Munich have ‘sounded’ out a possible move and Paris Saint-Germain hold an interest, Diego Simeone’s men want to sell Felix to an English club. 

This mainly due to the extra financial muscle teams possess in the Premier League and the expectation they could offer Felix a more lucrative deal. 

Of course, there will be plenty of interest in Felix, especially after his brilliant World Cup form with Portugal. 

The 23-year-old is playing a key role in Fernando Santos’ side and looks a far better player in a more attacking outfit. 

Felix would be a brilliant addition for Arsenal and could play in any role across the front-three. But Goal notes that Atletico will demand a huge fee for the ‘world-class’ Portuguese star – no less than around £86 million. 

It remains to be seen whether the Gunners are willing to spend big on Felix, especially after a relatively underwhelming spell in Spain.