Arsenal jump ahead of 3 Premier League clubs in race to sign wantaway Portuguese superstar - Reports 

Arsenal have jumped ahead of Manchester United, Chelsea and Aston Villa in the race to sign Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix.

Atletico CEO Gil Marin has said that Felix, 23, is set to leave the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium (via Fabrizio Romano):

“Joao Felix is top level, but because of his relationship with Simeone and game time. … we feel that makes sense to consider potential bids to sell him."

The Portuguese attacker has struggled under Diego Simeone this season, making 18 appearances across competitions, starting only eight. He has scored four goals and provided three assists.

Speculation is ripe over where the player could head next, and talk of a move to the Premier League is intensifying.

Manchester United are interested in signing Felix as a replacement for Cristiano Ronaldo. Chelsea also hold interest, as do Aston Villa surprisingly. However, Arsenal are leading the race for the Portuguese, according to Marca.

The Gunners want to complete high-profile signings while they are an attractive proposition. Mikel Arteta's side are atop the Premier League and coasted into the last 16 of the UEFA Europa League.

Arsenal are dealing with an injury issue to their centre-forward Gabriel Jesus. The Brazilian picked up a knee injury problem while on international duty at the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup with Brazil. He's expected to be out for almost three months.

Felix would be a ready-made replacement, as he can play across the frontline and has the creativity that could suit the Gunners. Transfermarkt values the 23-year-old Portuguese frontman at €50 million. He has scored 33 goals and provided 18 assists in 129 appearances for Atletico since arriving from Benfica for €127.2 million in the summer of 2019.

---

Ben White returns to training with Arsenal after leaving England's World Cup camp early

White is back with the Gunners.

White headed home from Qatar just before England played their final 2022 FIFA World Cup group game against Wales on November 29.

The Arsenal defender didn't make an appearance, and it was believed that his departure from the camp was due to family reasons. However, reports claimed that White had fallen out with England assistant manager Steve Holland.

There were also suggestions that he failed to jell well with his teammates — a group made up of players he was with during the 2020 European Championships last summer.

Southgate responded to the reports by saying that he didn't want to give the speculations any credibility. The reason for White's exit from the squad in Qatar is still being speculated.

However, he can now focus on club football as he has joined the Gunners in Dubai for training ahead of their Premier League return later this month. Arteta's men have a friendly against AC Milan on Tuesday (December 13).