Premier League rules establish Joao Felix can be named in Arsenal squad if £5m deal is finalized
Joao Felix to Arsenal is another transfer rumor that is gaining traction by the day.
The first reports of Arsenal’s interest in the Atletico Madrid forward surfaced following Gabriel Jesus’ injury.
The £45 million summer signing from Manchester City could be sidelined until February, although social media updates indicate he is making good progress in his recovery.
While football.london has previously reported that a wide player is the top priority for Arsenal this month following the rejection of two bids for Shakhtar Donetsk winger Mykhaylo Mudryk, rumors persist that an additional forward could be signed to relieve Eddie Nketiah.
Joao Felix has struggled to make a significant impact at Atletico Madrid since his £113 million transfer from Benfica in the summer of 2019. According to widespread reports, the 23-year-old could be on the move in January, as he is rumored to be looking for a fresh challenge.
The Gunners appear to have the upper hand in their battle with Premier League rivals Manchester United for the signature of Portugal international as the Red Devils have reportedly approached Burnley about signing striker Wout Weghorst on loan for the remainder of the season.
Although this could be a boost for Mikel Arteta’s side, it’s worth noting that the current financial demands to seal a deal for Felix – a £9.5million loan fee and a commitment to buy for £70.5million at the end of the season – are currently too high, with CBS Sports reporting that the Gunners would prefer an option to buy rather than an obligation set below £70million and a loan fee of around £5million.
Should Arsenal reach an agreement with Atletico Madrid and sign the talented forward on loan before the end of the month’s deadline, Arteta and sporting director Edu’s diligent work during the summer transfer window will prevent any squad registration issues.
After the January transfer window closes, the north London club will be permitted to name an updated 25-man squad for the Premier League, with no more than 17 foreign players permitted and eight places reserved for homegrown players.
To be considered home-grown, a player must have been registered with a club affiliated with The Football Association or the Welsh FA for a minimum of three full seasons or 36 months prior to turning 21. (or the end of the season during which he turns 21).
Benjamin White, Emile Smith Rowe, Eddie Nketiah, Rob Holding, Aaron Ramsdale, Matt Smith, and Reiss Nelson are listed as homegrown Arsenal players, but Karl Hein, Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, Marquinhos, and Gabriel Martinelli are not because they were born after January 1, 2001 and are eligible to be registered as Under-21 players.
Matt Turner, Cedric Soares, Takehiro Tomiyasu, Gabriel Magalhaes, Kieran Tierney, Oleksandr Zinchenko, Mohamed Elneny, Granit Xhaka, Martin Odegaard, Thomas Partey, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Fabio Vieira, Gabriel Jesus, and George Lewis are the 14 foreign players named to Arsenal’s Premier League squad.
Due in part to allowing Alexandre Lacazette, Bernd Leno, Alex Runarsson, Pablo Mari, Lucas Torreira, and Nicolas Pepe to all depart in the summer, the Gunners are three players under the required limit and could therefore register Joao Felix in their squad should a deal be finalized in January.
Premier League rules establish Joao Felix can be named in Arsenal squad if £5m deal is finalized
