Arsenal are willing to agree to an £80million package to beat Manchester United to the signing of a LaLiga forward, while Sunday’s Transfer Gossip claims Tottenham have stepped up their bit to sign a long-term successor to error-prone stopper Hugo Lloris.
ARSENAL READY TO PAY UP FOR ATLETICO STAR
Arsenal are reportedly ready to agree an £80million package to beat Manchester United to the signing of Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix.
The two Premier League giants have been heavily tipped to land the Portuguese attacker in January, with Felix falling out of favour with Diego Simeone in Madrid.
Both have their own separate needs for striker help, with the Gunners pushing for the title in the continued absence of summer signing Gabriel Jesus. United, meanwhile, need to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, with a shock link to a Burnley No.9 also emerged this weekend.
But the Daily Mirror reports that the Gunners are ready to end their interest in signing Shakthar winger Mykhaylo Mudryk and go all out to lure the Seleccao forward instead this month.
Arsenal have so far failed with multiple attempts to land Mudryk and have now lost patience over a deal.
Gunners ready to go all in on Felix
The Mirror claims that while United are still keen to sign Felix on loan, Arsenal are ready to go one step further.
The north London side are also happy to complete an initial temporary switch. However, they are also prepared to agree a package of £80million to make his move permanent, which includes a £9.5million loan fee and then a £70m summer switch.
Felix was a key member of the Atletico squad that won the LaLiga title in 2020-21. But this season, he has mainly warmed the bench due to poor relations with Simeone.
Despite his struggles domestically, the former Benfica man had a strong World Cup and could be involved in the big LaLiga clash with Barcelona on Sunday evening.
SPURS STEP UP PICKFORD BID
Tottenham have reportedly stepped up their bid to sign Everton and England keeper Jordan Pickford as a replacement for Hugo Lloris.
The north London club believe they can tempt Pickford, as his contract stand-off with Everton continues.
The Three Lions star’s current deal has 18 months to run and if he continues to snub improved terms, the 28-year-old could be open to a summer approach from Spurs.
Lloris has been with the club for 10 years and was outstanding for runners-up France at the World Cup. However, there is a growing feeling that his best days are behind him, while the 36-year-old often struggles with his distribution – something modern goalkeepers are renowned for.
The Frenchman has also made three direct errors that have led to goals this season. The latest was in the recent 2-0 home loss to Aston Villa, where he spilled a tame long-range strike that eventually fell to Emiliano Buendia to net Villa’s opener.
And speaking after the game, Conte appeared to dig out his No.1 for virtually costing his side the game.
The Italian said: “I’m sure that if we don’t concede the goal, we could win the game instead. The goal that we conceded killed us in confidence and in many situations, for sure.”
Pickford is eight years Lloris’ junior and is entering his prime as a goalkeeper. His ability and calmness in possession would also make him a clear upgrade over Lloris, who could well move back to France this summer.
ROVERS QUOTING BIG MONEY FOR PREM TARGET
Blackburn are demanding a staggering £15million for top scorer Ben Brereton Diaz, even though the striker will be out of contract in the summer.
Newcastle, Everton, West Ham and Leeds are all chasing the Chile international. But the quartet are not prepared to pay the hefty asking price – as reported in The Sun.
Clubs at home and abroad have already made enquiries for the 23-year-old, who can sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs.
Brereton Diaz enjoyed a breakout season last year in which he scored 22 goals in 37 Championship games.
While that form has not been transferred to the current campaign, the forward still has 10 goals in 29 appearances in all competitions.
Everton, West Ham and Leeds are all after extra firepower to propel them away from the relegation zone.
Newcastle, meanwhile, want more cover for the injury-plagued Callum Wilson – especially as stand-in Chris Wood’s goals record is not great.