Arsenal and Manchester United have both been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Joao Felix as reports now suggest that Atletico Madrid are open to the option of the star leaving on loan without any option or obligation to buy the player at the end of his loan spell.
Felix has fallen out with head coach Diego Simeone, and a series of good performances at the World Cup in Qatar raised the prospect of Atletico cashing in on their star man.
And it is Arsenal and the Red Devils that head the queue for the 23-year-old. The Gunners are in the market for forward additions following the injury to Gabriel Jesus, who is expected to be sidelined until March with a knee injury.
Meanwhile, Erik ten Hag’s side are looking to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, who had his contract terminated by mutual consent following a two-part explosive interview with Piers Morgan in which he revealed that he had no respect for his new manager.
But a deal with Atletico Madrid over Felix was thought to be hard to reach due to the Spanish side’s determination to recoup their massive fee for the 23-year-old, with any loan deal thought to need to include an option or an obligation to buy the star in the summer.
Now, however, Spanish outlet COPE claim that the club have softened their stance, and are instead open to loaning the forward out until the end of the season with no option to buy as they await the future of coach Simeone to be resolved.
