In Premier League terms, players seem to switch between Arsenal and Chelsea more often than any other pair of rivals.
Arsenal have had mixed success in recruiting players from their London-neighbours in recent years,
even if Kai Havertz is now the new poster boy for the club’s success.
David Luiz’s time in north London will ultimately be deemed a failure, and Petr Cech seemingly saved his worst years for his stint under Arsene Wenger.
And the less said about Willian’s time at the Emirates Stadium, the better.
Of course, Joringho has become a popular figure at the club, a second captain if you will – demonstrating that it’s been a mixed bag when recruiting from Stamford Bridge.
That being said, a player who made just 20 appearances for Chelsea at the end of the 2022/23 season is now being linked with the Gunners.
According to Mundo Deportivo in Spain, Arsenal are now interested in signing Joao Felix, who is at a bit of a cross-roads in his career.
At 24-years-old, Felix is now reportedly free to leave Atletico Madrid, having just spent a season on loan at Barcelona.
Joao Felix is free to leave Atletico Madrid and Arsenal are interested
Felix currently has a contract with the La Liga club until 2029, but via the report mentioned, the striker is seen as a ‘problem’ who doesn’t fit into their plans moving forward.
To that end, former Arsenal manager Unai Emery is said to be interested in taking the Portugal international to Aston Villa, albeit for any approach to still be very early days.
It was once thought that Felix had the world at his feet when he came through at Benfica, a Lionel Messi type talent.
But Felix’s move to Atletico never appeared a natural fit – a technically gifted player heading to a robust side, known for their exceptional grasp of football’s dark arts under Diego Simeone.
Fast forward to now and those concerns have become a reality, and Felix is yet to fulfil his rich potential, befitting of a player who cost Atletico £113m.
If reports are to be believed and Arsenal are seriously interested, it remains to be seen how much Felix would cost now, who has recouped some of his initial transfer fee during various loans.
But in a summer in which Arsenal don’t want a traditional-type centre-forward, perhaps Felix could actually be a good fit.
Although, following Ethan Nwaneri’s exceptional under-21 performance against Boreham Wood, the club may be mindful of recruiting too many attackers right now.