Arsenal Transfers: Chelsea reach agreement with Gunners target

Arsenal are feeling the wrath of Todd Boehly as it looks like Chelsea will win the race for Joao Felix this month.

The Gunners, whose priority target in January is Shakhtar Donestk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, were also in the running for Atletico Madrid forward Felix along with Manchester United.

Mikel Arteta is keen to bolster his forward line this winter after Gabriel Jesus’ injury and the need for greater attacking depth was highlighted in their goalless stalemate with Newcastle last Tuesday as the Arsenal boss turned to his bench just once to bring on Takehiro Tomiyasu.

And while the enigmatic Felix will not be arriving at the Emirates in January, Chelsea’s agreement with the Portuguese international could boost Arsenal’s pursuit of their primary target.

Chelsea reach agreement with Gunners target

The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on Monday afternoon that Chelsea had reached a “verbal agreement” to sign Atletico’s Felix on loan before Fabrizio Romano confirmed that the player has agreed to join the Blues.

It’s understood that the west Londoners will pay £9.8m to sign the player on loan until the end of the season with Chelsea also paying his salary in full. It’s a pricey package, but one that Boehly is willing to purchase as he sets about steadying the ship at Stamford Bridge.

On paper, however, Felix isn’t the player that the Blues require to facilitate an upsurge in form. An out-and-out number nine is what Graham Potter needs and, for all his talent, the 23-year-old isn’t that. He’s cut from the same cloth as Potter’s alternate attacking options in terms of profile.

Ornstein suggested that Chelsea will still be in the market for more attacking reinforcements in January despite the potential arrival of Felix. Their interest in Mudryk was noted last week, but an agreement with Shakhtar is yet to be reached.

The Gunners have had two bids rejected for the 21-year-old’s services with the Ukrainian club proving stubborn in negotiations. Still, Arsenal are confident that they can strike a deal in the coming weeks and the loan of Felix should tame Chelsea’s interest for the time being.