Arsenal wants to sign two strikers in the summer and Joao Felix remains a candidate to join the Gunners. According to Football London, Arsenal are interested in signing the Portuguese youngster. Atletico Madrid signed Felix from Benfica in 2019 for a transfer fee of €126 million. However, he has not stepped up to the expectations of the club and the fans.
The move did not turn out as planned since he has scored only 18 goals in three years at the club. However, he has displayed a few impressive performances which certainly do justify his price tag. Felix joined the club after Griezmann‘s departure to Barcelona. He was expected to take up the job of Griezmann of carrying Atletico Madrid at times.
Arsenal and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have parted ways in January reduced the Gunners’ options in the attacking department. Moreover, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah also have contracts that are expiring at the end of the season. They will be in a need of replacement as there are no talks of extending their contract at the club.
Arsenal are in a strong position to finish fourth in the Premier League. If they do so, they will be playing in the Champions League next season for the first time after 2016. They look hungry to play in the Champions League which is getting the best out of their players. If they do secure a Champions League spot, they can even attract some big names in Europe.
How Joao Felix could fit in at Arsenal?
Joao Felix is a technical player with a good pace and is very agile while changing directions. The Portuguese international was Benfica’s star man scoring all sorts of goals and creating as many chances he could. Felix could play on either flank and also as a false-9 or even as a number 10. His creative ability enables him to play anywhere in the forward role.
However, he lacks the physicality required to play in the Premier League. Nevertheless, he compensates that with his technical ability. He can play as a false-9 in the Arsenal lineup which will be a very fast attack to stop along with Felix in their side. He can use his passing ability and vision to create chances while dropping into midfield.
Moreover, he can also drop in the midfield to carry the ball and run at defenders with the ball at his feet. However, he has to improve his finishing skills in order to succeed wherever he goes. Nevertheless, he might profit from a more attacking approach unlike Atletico‘s approach towards games.
The only major con in signing Felix is that he has a price of more than £100 million. There is always some doubt when a player costs more than that price. The track has not been so good with transfers over the price of £100 million. However, he will certainly be a very good option for the long-term but will need a good partner alongside him fulfilling a strikers’ duties.
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