Arsenal and Manchester United target Joao Felix has been left out of Atletico Madrid's squad to take on Real Oviedo in the Copa del Rey tonight.
Reports have claimed that the Spanish giants will allow Felix to leave on loan in January, with Arsenal and United amongst the clubs said to be interested.
But, as per The Athletic, a sticking point is the £21 million loan fee, including salary, that Diego Simeone's side are pursuing in order to allow him to leave.
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Felix, described as 'special' by team-mate Alvaro Morata, did start Atletico's 2-1 win over Cadiz in La Liga on December 29, playing 65 minutes and scoring a goal.
But he has been left out of the squad entirely for tonight's Copa del Rey clash, which has caught the attention of Gunners fans.
The reason given for his exclusion is a reported calf injury, although it is unclear as to the severity of the problem.
Felix to Arsenal?
Sky Sports News journalist Dharmesh Sheth reported on Tuesday that the Gunners are growing more optimistic about a potential deal for Shakhtar Donetsk star Mykhaylo Mudryk, and that they are in talks over a move for Felix.
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Meanwhile, Arsenal midfielder Thomas Partey is said to have spoken to the forward in an attempt to convince him to move to the Emirates Stadium, with the pair having played alongside each other for Simeone's side.
The latest rumours arrive after comments made last month by Atletico CEO Gil Marin. He hinted that the Portugal star could leave the club in January.
He told Spanish station TVE: "He is the biggest bet this club has taken in its history. I personally think he's a top talent, a world class player.
"For reasons it isn't worth getting into - the relationship between him and the boss, the minutes played, his motivation right now - it makes you think that the reasonable thing is that, if there's an option that's good for the player, good for the club, we can look at it.
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"I'd love him to stay personally, but I don't think that's the player's idea."
Topics: Arsenal, Premier League, Transfers
Ryan Smart