Arsenal could sign two players from Atletico Madrid with former target also free to leave with Joao Felix

Arsenal are reportedly keen on signing Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix in January - and it is claimed that four players, including an ex-Gunners target, are set to be allowed to depart Diego Simeone's side.

Fabrizio Romano reported last month that Felix is 'open' to leaving the club in January or in the summer, with playing time having been relatively limited this term for a player of his calibre.

The one stumbling block for interested clubs, however, is that Atletico want to recoup most, if not all, of the £113 million fee they paid for the player to sign him from Benfica in the summer of 2019.

But Romano has also reported that a loan deal may not be off the table.

That would perhaps be the ideal solution for the Gunners, who may look to the transfer market to replace Gabriel Jesus while he recovers from knee surgery.

But whilst the Gunners are seemingly keen on bringing Felix to the Emirates Stadium, they could also reignite interest in one of the Portugal international's team-mates.

Atletico Madrid 'to allow four players to leave'

Sources have told ESPN that Atletico will allow four players to leave on permanent deals in January should they receive acceptable offers - including Felix. It is said that the 23-year-old must command offers of over €100 million to consider a sale.

But there is another player up for sale that could interest the Gunners.

Mario Hermoso was linked with Arsenal back in 2018, when he was playing for Espanyol. At the time, the defender had a €35 million release clause. The Gunners went on to sign Sokratis from Borussia Dortmund instead.

Hermoso moved to Atletico a year later for an initial fee of €25m, helping the club to win La Liga in 2020/21.

The 27-year-old, who can play at centre-back and left-back, has started just one league game this term, spending most of the season as an unused substitute.

Atletico will, it is claimed, allow him to move on in January, as well as defender Felipe and forward Matheus Cunha.