Man Utd and Arsenal now the favourites to sign "special" talent in January

Manchester United and Arsenal are now favourites to sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid in January, according to reports.

Felix looks likely to leave Atletico on loan next month, three-and-a-half years after joining the club from Benfica for a club-record fee of £113 million.

United, Arsenal, Chelsea and PSG have all been credited with an interest since Fabrizio Romano reported that Felix was 'open' to departing his current club.

He has struggled for a consistent place in Diego Simeone's starting XI this term, and only has four goals to his name in 18 appearances this term.

The World Cup, however, allowed Felix to show his full qualities on the world stage, and he scored once and provided two assists in four Portugal appearances.

Now, new reports have emerged on where he could move to in January, should he leave the Wanda Metropolitano.

Man Utd, Arsenal 'favourites' to sign Felix

According to Spanish outlet AS (via Sport Witness), United and Arsenal are leading the race to sign Felix.

They claim that those clubs are the 'best-placed' to complete a loan move for the Portugal star, with reports from the Daily Record alleging that Atletico will allow a temporary departure should interested clubs pay an £8 million loan fee and the player's salary.

However, Simeone has played down talk of an exit, claiming Felix - described as 'special' by team-mate Alvaro Morata - can still be 'very important' to his side.

He explained (quotes via 90min): "What matters to me is the team, and he is important to the team.

"If he does for us what we saw in the World Cup, he will be very important. He has the talent, and the team needs his qualities.

"Since I've been at the club, some differences exist between people and we can't agree on everything. [But] I've looked for the best for the club until the last day, whether it's me or the footballers. Everyone gives the maximum."