Arsenal 'take the lead' in race to sign Atletico Madrid outcast Joao Felix thanks to Thomas Partey

Thomas Partey has made contact with Joao Felix in an effort to lure the Atletico Madrid outcast to Arsenal rather than Manchester United, according to reports.

Atletico's record £114million signing is expected to leave the LaLiga outfit in January after falling out of favour with head coach Diego Simeone, chalking up just 10 starts across all competitions this season.

Manchester United held talks with the Spanish club last week in a bid to sign the Portuguese forward on loan following Cristiano Ronaldo's acrimonious exit from Old Trafford in November, although negotiations have since stalled with Atletico demanding a hefty loan fee of £13.25m.

According to The Athletic, Gunners defensive midfielder Partey has made contact with his former Madrid team-mate in an attempt to win the 23-year-old's favour.

It is understood the Emirates chiefs are keen to secure a loan move similar to the initial deal the club made with Real Madrid for team captain Martin Odegaard, who signed in January 2021 before moving permanently at the end of that season.

Felix has remained in contact with Partey since the Ghanaian's switch to the Emirates in 2020, and Arsenal believe the pair's relationship could benefit them if the move comes down to personal choice.

Arsenal will need to meet Atletico's pricey loan demands should they wish to lure the Portuguese forward to north London.

United rejected the £13.25m proposal and are now considering alternatives, having told Atletico and Felix's agent Jorge Mendes that the deal would have to be substantially cheaper for the two clubs to continue negotiations.

Gunners fans seemed split on social media over the prospect of paying in excess to secure Felix on a six-month loan. Felix reportedly wants approximately £5.3m paid to him in wages as well.

'That is stupid money,' one fan wrote on Reddit. 'Only if there is a buy option should that be considered.'

Another supporter said: 'It’s stupid. Only Messi or Ronaldo, being aged less than 28-29, would be worth that for six months.'

'If he helps us win the title by providing us with invaluable depth and maybe 8-10 goal contributions, 21 mil for a 6 month spell doesn’t seem too bad,' a third Arsenal fan proposed.

Arsenal currently sit at the summit of the Premier League with a seven-point lead over reigning champions Manchester City.