Man Utd and Arsenal ‘learn £8m Joao Felix bargain fee’ as Gunners lead

Man Utd's next six Premier League fixtures

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Manchester United and Arsenal have been handed the chance to seal a January transfer bargain, with Atletico Madrid naming their price for wantaway forward Joao Felix. The 23-year-old could arrive in the Premier League on loan this winter to escape Spain after falling out of favour in Diego Simeone’s plans.

United and Arsenal are both on the hunt for attacking reinforcements in January for different reasons. Erik ten Hag needs a new striker after Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract termination in November. Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta will want to fill the void Gabriel Jesus is bound to leave while sidelined through injury as club football returns.

According to the Daily Record, Atletico are ready to let Felix leave the club on loan, with the Premier League a likely destination. But the Los Rojiblancos have named their conditions for a potential winter switch if United and Arsenal are interested in taking them up on their offer.

Atleti want the Financial Fair Play costs of Felix’s contract covered in full by his new club. Given his contract at the Wanda Metropolitano is worth £15.9million a season, the club will also demand a loan fee worth half of that sum (£8m) and that the successful suitor pay his full wages.

JUST IN: Klopp responds to Carragher’s ‘outrageous’ Liverpool takeover claim

Atletico opening the door for Felix to depart next month will surely attract heavyweight interest, with £8m posing as a potential bargain fee for a world-class talent. Whichever club pays the sum and recruits the Portugal international temporarily would automatically enter the driver’s seat to acquire him permanently in the summer.

The report adds that there would be no option to buy included in his loan contract at United or Arsenal, should either English giant pursue his signature. And the Gunners are understood to be in a more advanced position in negotiations, hoping to bolster their Premier League title bid.

Felix’s desire to leave the Spanish capital is clear after struggling to adapt to Simeone’s treatment and tactical vision. And while £8m for potentially just six months may look like a risk, it’s easy to forget he was worth £111m when he completed his high-profile switch from Benfica less than four years ago.

With United’s budget up in the air amid the Glazers’ plans to sell the club in the first quarter of 2023, a cheap loan for a quality forward should attract Ten Hag. But it appears like their Emirates Stadium rivals are leading the chase ahead of the window opening on January 1.

Want the latest football news? Join our brand new Facebook group by clicking here

Source: Read Full Article