Yesterday (Monday) it became clear that Chelsea would be the side getting closer to securing the signing of Joao Felix. The Atletico Madrid forward had been linked heavily with a move to both Arsenal and Manchester United.
However, the Blues are now close wrapping up the loan move until the end of the season football.london understands as Arsenal opt not to pursue. There is also an understanding from transfer journalist Matteo Moretto that Felix will extend his contract until 2027 before making the move.
This gives Chelsea next to no control about the long-term future of the player beyond this small period of time with the club. Moving from one league to another is always difficult but moving from one system to another on top of that, especially with big differences, is even tougher.
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It is for this reason that Arsenal have done well to avoid potential 'exploitation' from Atletico Madrid both financially and regarding the development of a player with no long-term future with them. In an Arsenal sense, Spanish football journalist Alvaro Romeo told The Gooner Talk that an expensive six-month loan could not end up well.
“I think Joao Felix is way more suited for a transfer than for a six-month loan” Romeo, who covers La Liga for The Totally Football Show and TalkSport, said. “I am 100% about that.”
He added: “Felix will have to adapt, to Arteta, to the system. Arsenal is playing in a very different way to Atletico Madrid, and I think that a loan wouldn’t be the most clever, if the loan is that expensive – that cannot end up well.
“Joao Felix hasn’t been the kind of guy who - under big pressure - has had the rebellion to become a better player. He needs things to go his way in order to perform, so I think a loan wouldn’t be the best option.”
The theory that Atletico may have used Chelsea to give Felix the kickstart to lead a new era at the club in 2023/24 has gained even further belief with news of Diego Simeone’s tenure at the club potentially ending. Spanish journalist Paco Garcia via Football Espana has reported that El Cholo will step down at the end of the season.
There had been rumours of a rift between both Felix and Simeone and therefore an extension of his contract seemed unlikely. But with the news that the Portuguese international will indeed commit to a further year certainly would make sense if the Argentine was leaving.
Lastly, the reprieve for any Arsenal supporter still pained by missing out on Felix is that the forward does not easily fit into the current set-up. For a start, he doesn’t come in ahead of the starting front three.
Those that believe he might come in over Eddie Nketiah might be overlooking that Felix has rarely operated as a lone No. 9, instead playing in a front two or off the left-hand side.
With Gabriel Martinelli, Emile Smith Rowe and potentially the arrival of Mykhaylo Mudryk, depth on the left would be at a premium already. Arsenal need to find a Gabriel Jesus competitor and Felix simply hasn’t shown to be that, especially not enough to justify filling these six months with an expensive option not immediately suited to the role.
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