Arsenal have held further talks with Atletico Madrid to try and drive down the price of a loan fee for Joao Felix, according to a report.

Portugal forward Joao Felix celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H football match between Portugal and Ghana on November 24, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Portugal forward Joao Felix celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the Qatar 2022 World Cup Group H football match between Portugal and Ghana on November 24, 2022. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

The Daily Mail report that Arsenal have held more talks with Atletico Madrid over Joao Felix, hoping to lower the loan fee to bring him in for the next six months.

The Gunners remain interested in a loan move, but they view Atletico’s current asking price as excessive.

David Ornstein recently reported that Atletico were asking for a €15m loan fee, plus another €6m in wages. No club is willing to pay that amount, despite relatively widespread interest in his signature.

Ornstein claims Arsenal are looking to sign both Mykhaylo Mudryk on a permanent deal and Felix on loan this month, as they try to reinforce their attack in the wake of Gabriel Jesus’ injury.

Arsenal and Manchester United are leading the race for Felix, but they’ll only firm up interest if the loan fee is slashed.

Up until this week, there had been no direct negotiations with Atletico Madrid, only with intermediaries. Perhaps that’s now changed, but it doesn’t seem as though a compromise has been reached yet.

Portugal forward Joao Felix runs past Switzerland midfielder Edimilson Fernandes (back) during the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Switzerland at Lusail Stadium on December 6, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Portugal forward Joao Felix runs past Switzerland midfielder Edimilson Fernandes (back) during the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Portugal and Switzerland at Lusail Stadium on December 6, 2022. (Photo by ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP via Getty Images)

In the meantime, Felix remains with Atletico. The forward scored the opening goal for the side in their last league game against Elche, heading home from close range.

Speaking after the game, Diego Simeone said: “While he’s here, I’ll try to get the best out of João Felix for the club. Then we will see what’s gonna happen.”

Felix wasn’t involved as Atletico played against lower-league side Real Oviedo in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, but he’s likely to be back involved against league-leaders Barcelona on Sunday.