“Arsenal want him” – Gunners keen to sign €120m man, manager already making plans without star

Arsenal are keen on a deal for Atlético Madrid striker Joao Felix, with Mikel Arteta specifically asking for his signature.

That’s according to journalist Eduardo Inda, who says Atlético manager Diego Simeone is happy to let the Portuguese go if he can replace him with Valencia’s Goncalo Guedes.

Felix’s current deal with the Spanish side runs until 2026, but there are doubts about his future at the Wanda Metropolitano moving forwards.

The 22-year-old has struggled to develop how many expected him to following his move from Benfica in July 2019.

His tally of 23 goals and 14 assists in 100 games is far from what Atlético were expecting when they paid £114m for his signature, beating huge competition in the process.

The young forward has often looked ill-suited to Simeone’s style of play, even though the Argentine has tried to adapt his game in recent years and make Atlético more attacking.

And it seems that he has now had enough, with Inda claiming that he would be happy to sell and Arsenal are keen.

“Joao Félix is a very good player. Arsenal want him,” he told El Chiringuito.

“Simeone, if he continues, wants to bring in Guedes. His objective is to change Joao Félix for Guedes.

“The problem Atletico have is that he cost €120m, and getting him back is something that can only be done if he is sold to the Premier League.”