Premier League leaders Arsenal have emerged as the frontrunners to land Portugal star Joao Felix.

The forward, 23, wants to leave Atletico Madrid after struggling for game time under Diego Simeone.

Marca say the Gunners lead a five-club list of candidates to snap him up, ahead of Manchester United, Chelsea, Aston Villa and Paris Saint-Germain.

The ex-Benfica playmaker notched a goal and two assists during Portugal's World Cup campaign, before being knocked out by Morocco in the quarter-final.

With club football now his focus again, it is said that the Emirates is his preferred destination.

Mikel Arteta is expected to be in the market for attacking reinforcements in January with star striker Gabriel Jesus set for a spell on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery.

That said, The Athletic report that Felix's agent Jorge Mendes is pushing for a surprise move to Aston Villa.

Mendes has a strong relationship with Villa's owners, with the Portuguese super-agent at the heart of the deal which saw Unai Emery take over as manager.

In other news

Liverpool have an agreement in principle with Benfica to sign Argentina starlet Enzo Fernandez, 21, according to reports in his homeland.

The Mirror indicate Leicester are braced for Arsenal to make a final attempt to sign midfielder Youri Tielemans, 25, in January before he becomes a free agent next summer.

Chelsea have opened talks to sign teenage Germany striker Youssoufa Moukoko from Borussia Dortmund, according to transfer expert Nicolo Schira.