Transfer Centre

Arsenal, Manchester United 'offered Joao Felix loan deal'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 24 December 2022

Atletico Madrid offer Arsenal and Manchester United the chance to sign Joao Felix on loan for the remainder of the campaign, according to a report.

Arsenal and Manchester United have reportedly been offered the chance to sign Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix on loan for the remainder of the campaign.

The 23-year-old is seemingly determined to leave Wanda Metropolitano next month, having seen his relationship with Atletico head coach Diego Simeone break down.

A number of clubs have been linked with the Portugal international, including Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich, but the strongest interest is thought to be arriving from the Premier League, with both Arsenal and Man United in the market for new forwards in January.

A permanent deal for Felix is unlikely, as Atletico are said to want in excess of €100m (£85.9m) for the attacker, but according to the Daily Record, a loan move is possible.

The report claims that the Red and Whites are open to a short-term exit providing that his wages are covered in full for the remainder of the season.

Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix pictured on August 15, 2022 © Reuters

Atletico would allegedly want an £8m loan fee, but there would be no obligation to make the move permanent at the end of the campaign.

Arsenal are in the market for a new attacker following Gabriel Jesus's knee injury, while Man United are looking for a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo, who had his contract terminated at the end of November.

Atletico CEO Miguel Angel Gil Marin recently hinted that Felix could leave Wanda Metropolitano in January.

"[Joao Felix] is the biggest bet this club has taken in its history. I personally think he's a top talent, a world-class player," Gil Marin told TVE last month.

Joao Felix warms up for Atletico Madrid on September 7, 2022 © Reuters

"For reasons it isn't worth getting into – the relationship between him and the boss (Simeone), the minutes played, his motivation right now – it makes you think that the reasonable thing is that if there's an option that's good for the player, good for the club, we can look at it.

"I'd love him to stay personally, but I don't think that's the player's idea."

Meanwhile, Atletico boss Simeone recently said: "No one is indispensable and things will be as they have to be. It is very important for us. He has had a good World Cup, he participated in goals with the importance that the coach gave him.

"Hopefully we can have the best Joao who he saw himself in the World Cup. Hopefully we also give him that peace of mind and joy to show in the game all that was seen in the World Cup."

Felix has found it difficult to make his mark for the capital giants during the 2022-23 campaign, only managing four goals and three assists in 18 appearances in all competitions.