Arsenal are set for more discussions over a potential move for Joao Felix this month...

What's the word?

That's according to CBS Sports reporter Ben Jacobs, who has provided an update on the Gunners' pursuit of the Atletico Madrid attacker, with Gabriel Jesus out injured for the foreseeable future.

"Arsenal have further talks scheduled over a Joao Felix loan. Atletico Madrid's demands remain high with the Spanish club hoping to pit suitors against each other. No package agreed yet. #AFC ideally want an option to buy (not a given) set below £70m and a loan fee around £5m," he tweeted.

However, The Athletic have recently suggested that the LaLiga outfit want a €21m (£18.6m) package, involving an initial €15m loan fee plus €6m gross salary.

Imagine him & Mudryk

Jacobs went onto suggest that this deal for Felix would not impact their interest in fellow January target Mykhaylo Mudryk as the Gunners want to sign both before the January 31st deadline.

With the Ukraine sensation likely to provide further depth on the wings, also matching the long-term project of the club in signing young talent with bags of potential, Felix would be more than adequate cover for the injured Jesus. He too could play out wide and a little deeper in midfield.

A lot of people witnessed exactly why Atleti paid a whopping £133m to Benfica for him back in July 2019 with his recent World Cup exploits, where he bagged one goal and two assists from five starts.

Speaking about their interest, talkSPORT pundit and ex-professional striker Darren Bent said: "Joao felix adds depth to this arsenal squad and real quality, I'm all for it."

Meanwhile, the 23-year-old dynamo has also been lauded as "one of few players who is capable of magic on a football pitch" by former Benfica scout Jean-Claude Abeddou.

Indeed, his placing amongst his positional peers across Europe could certainly suggest that he's something of a magician, ranking inside the top 7% for assists (0.29) per 90 and the top 12% for progressive passes (2.29) per 90, adding to his obvious ability in front of goal, via FBref.

Therefore, you can only imagine Arsenal's starting XI if sporting director Edu Gaspar were to add the £53m-rated "special talent" - in the words of reporter James Dodd - alongside Mudryk before the end of the month.

It would surely thrust the Gunners from title-chasing hopefuls to a serious force to be reckoned with in the Premier League this season, and beyond.

AND in other news, Arsenal could secure their own Hazard in move for “amazing” 19 y/o gem...