A fresh, and potentially telling insight into the future of transfer-linked Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix has been forthcoming late on Friday evening.
Chatter surrounding the future of attacker Felix has of course come back to the fore in a major way over the course of the last couple of weeks.
This comes on the back of widespread confirmation that the Portuguese has made clear his intention to depart the Wanda Metropolitano, with the powers that be at Atleti more than happy to acquiesce to his demands.
Speculation, in turn, has quickly begun to spread, regarding where exactly Felix could end up next.
Though his stint in Spain’s capital, overall, has proven a disappointing one, the 23-year-old remains a supremely talented young footballer, with the potential to develop into one of football’s finest attackers.
And now, as alluded to above, a major update on the situation has been forthcoming online.
It is understood that the Rojiblancos, who forked over a club record €126 million to Benfica for Felix’s services back in 2019, are now prepared to sanction a temporary exit following the turn of the year.
Any such transfer would see the forward spend the 2nd-half of the term on loan elsewhere in Europe.
Atleti, for their part, are demanding an £8 million fee, as well as Felix’s wages to be covered in full by his new club.
There would be neither a purchase option or obligation included in the agreement.
From England, both Arsenal and Manchester United are known to be keen, with the former eyeing reinforcements on the back of the injury suffered by Gabriel Jesus, and Erik ten Hag’s Red Devils on the lookout for a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo.
It is Arsenal, at present, though, who are viewed as leading the race.
Atletico prepared to loan Joao Felix to Premier League club at FFP cost.
• Arsenal and Manchester United interested in Portugal forward.https://t.co/8DzcSkunYV pic.twitter.com/Chi4sc5Q0A— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) December 23, 2022
