Joao Felix is seen leaving Atletico Madrid ahead of his £9m half-season loan at Chelsea… with the forward ‘set to sign a contract extension with the Spanish side before sealing his move’ and the Blues having ‘NO option to buy’
Joao Felix has been seen leaving Atletico Madrid’s training ground as he gets set to complete his loan move to Chelsea – though reports have suggested that the deal won’t include an option to buy the Portuguese star.
Sportsmail reported yesterday that the Blues are expected to beat Manchester United and Arsenal to the loan signing of the 23-year-old forward.
Spanish TV channel El Chiringuito have posted a video on their Twitter account of Felix being driven away, with the forward expected to head to London shortly to complete the £9m loan deal to Stamford Bridge until the end of the season.
Atletico Madrid want to sign Joao Felix to an extension before he seals a loan move to Chelsea
However, should he impress at Chelsea during the second-half of this season, Graham Potter’s side could struggle to bring him to the club on a permanent deal.
Marca have reported that the club want to sign the forward to a one-year extension before sealing his move to Chelsea.
It’s said that his move to Stamford Bridge would not include the option to buy Felix at the end of the season.
His current deal expires in 2026, though Atletico want to extend it to 2027 to ‘reduce the annual amortization and balance their accounts’.
Felix has been filmed leaving Atletico Madrid’s training ground as he gets set to join Chelsea
Felix is keen for a move away from Atletico after falling out-of-favour with Diego Simeone
Chelsea’s expected £9m loan move for the Portuguese star reportedly won’t include an option to buy
The Blues have acted swiftly to land Felix, who has made it clear that he wants to leave Atletico.
United reportedly balked at the loan fee being demanded by the Spanish giants and have since turned their attention to former Burnley striker Wout Weghorst.
Arsenal are also seeking reinforcements up front but were also put off by the price, and held talks with Atletico in a bid to lower it.
Chelsea are eager to revitalise their attack, with Graham Potter’s side having struggled in that department since he took over.
Felix, 23, has been inconsistent at Atletico this season. He has scored four goals and provided three assists in 14 LaLiga appearances.
Chelsea have overtaken Manchester United and Arsenal in the race to sign Felix from Atletico
In 2019 Felix joined Atletico from Benfica for £113million, which remains the fourth highest transfer fee in football history.
Chelsea have scored just three goals in their last eight games in all competitions and at times have used Kai Havertz up front, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of favour.
Felix is expected to be the latest arrival at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea having already announced the signings of Benoit Badiashile, who cost £58million from Monaco, David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos so far this window.
The Blues are also targeting Argentina World Cup winner Enzo Fernandes from Benfica.
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