Joao Felix pushed closer to Arsenal transfer by Weghorst’s Man Utd deal

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 9 Jan 2023 12:46 GMT
• 3 min read

Manchester United are closing in on a deal to sign Wout Weghorst on loan from Burnley, and that is great news for Arsenal and their pursuit of Joao Felix.

Both clubs are in need of reinforcements during the January transfer window, with each searching for a centre-forward.

Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix is a player that both have been linked with in recent weeks, but should Weghorst move to Man Utd, that would effectively rule out the Red Devils continuing their chase for the Portugal international forward.

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Weghorst is set to join the Old Trafford club on a six-month loan deal, and with Jack Butland already having arrived in Erik ten Hag’s squad under such terms, it is impossible for them to conduct another such deal this month.

Premier League clubs are limited to having a maximum of two player on loan in their squad at any one time, so the only way that Man Utd could sign both Weghorst and Felix would be to sign one on a permanent basis.

Having spent heavily in the summer, the Red Devils are only interested in loan deals this January, effectively ruling this out as a possibility.

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Arsenal set for a clear run at Joao Felix

That means the door is open for Arsenal to pursue Felix, although the signs from Atletico Madrid are that he will not be allowed to leave easily.

The Spanish club is known to have put a lavish price tag on his head for a loan deal that would last only six months, putting suitors off.

Speaking to radio show Carrusel Deportivo, president Enrique Cerezo said: “Nothing is impossible in life, but the normal thing is that Joao Felix stays at Atletico Madrid.”

The situation at Atletico Madrid, though, is a volatile one, with Felix and head coach Diego Simeone at loggerheads at present, suggesting that a move to Arsenal remains a distinct possibility.