Arsenal have reportedly enquired about taking Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid for the remainder of the season.
Felix wants to leave the Spanish side after falling out of favour under Diego Simeone, with the club’s record signing having started just five La Liga games during the current campaign.
Felix’s situation has alerted several top clubs across Europe and according to the Mail, Arsenal have made an enquiry over a loan deal as Mikel Arteta looks to strengthen his side’s title challenge.
Manchester United and Chelsea are also interested in a deal but have baulked at Atletico’s demands for an £8m loan fee.
Arsenal’s interest comes after Gabriel Jesus was ruled out for an extended period with a knee problem and the Gunners want to reinforce their attacking options this January.
Felix has struggled to fit in at Atletico since his £113m move to the club in 2019, but underlined his talent with a series of impressive performances for Portugal at the World Cup in Qatar.
Arsenal are also chasing a deal for Mykhaylo Mudryk, but saw an opening offer worth up to £55m turned down by Shakhtar Donetsk this week. The Ukrainian side value Mudryk at around €100m (£85m).
Arteta is hopeful that the Arsenal board will back him in the January transfer window as the north Londoners chase a first Premier League title since 2003/04. The Gunners are currently four points clear of Manchester City at the top of the division, ahead of their trip to face Brighton on December 31.
