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Arsenal have identified Atlético de Madrid man João Felix as an option to strengthen their attack with Gabriel Jesus out for the foreseeable future.
THE LOWDOWN: EMERGENCY ALTERNATIVE NEEDED
Gabriel Jesus picked up a knee injury in Brazil’s last group-stage match against Cameroon and after tests and scans, it was decided that surgery would be needed to help him recover in time for the rest of the Premier League season.
That ruled him out of the rest of Brazil’s World Cup campaign and for at least two months into the new year when Arsenal will resume their charge to win their first Premier League title in almost two decades.
Arsenal, who have been mulling over the signing of a new attacking player, might now be forced to go into the market for at least two. Reports coming out if Spain and England now claim that Portugal forward João Felix is on the North London club’s radar.
THE LATEST: ARSENAL TO REVIVE FELIX INTEREST
The Gunners are revisiting the option of signing the former Benfica youngster, who joined Atlético on a club-record €126 million move in 2019, after choosing to ditch the option and go for Jesus in the summer.
The Portugal international, who is currently making raves in Qatar with his national team who have progressed to the quarter-finals after thrashing Switzerland 6 – 1, is said to be disenfranchised at Atlético and is looking for a way out.
This is according to the club’s CEO, Gil Marín. “João Felix has top level but because of his relationship with Simeone and game time… we feel that makes sense to consider potential bids to sell him”, Gil told TVE.
“I’d love for Joao to continue, but this is the current situation.”
This opens the door for negotiations and Arsenal, who have had him on their radar, will be first in line at the Spanish team’s offices once the January window opens.
THE VERDICT: REINFORCEMENTS NEEDED
Meanwhile, Mykhaylo Mudryk, Arsenal’s other transfer target to shore up the attack, has posted a cryptic message which looks like an invitation to potential bidders to approach Shakhtar Donetsk.
The club, who had initially set his price at around £80 million are now believed to be ready to listen to bids of £40 million. Mudryk posted an image of his new valuation to his Instagram stories, in a move that has been interpreted as an invitation to interested parties to begin discussions.
However, Arsenal looks to have the upper hand in any transfer battle as the 21-year-old has previously stated that he favours a move to the Emirates and will not say no if they come for him.
