Newcastle ’emerge as a potential option for £87m-rated Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix’

Newcastle could offer Joao Felix the chance to stay in the Premier League next season, according to reports.

Felix has spent the second half of this season on loan at Chelsea, scoring three goals in 18 appearances for the Blues.

He is due to return to Atletico this summer, but does not appear to have a future at the club as they have chosen to stand by manager Diego Simeone following an upturn in form since Felix moved to England in January.

With Simeone unconvinced by Felix after overlooking him for much of the first part of the season, Atletico are ready to offload the 23-year-old, and Newcastle could make a move for the forward, as reported by Marca.

Atletico paid £114m for Felix in 2019, and are looking to recoup a significant chunk of that money before letting him leave.

He does not appear to have a future at Atletico after falling out with Diego Simeone

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle could make a move for the 23-year-old in the summer transfer window

They have reportedly set their asking price at €100m (£87m), and expect Newcastle to be willing to match that fee thanks to their wealthy Saudi Arabian owners.

The Magpies have splashed the cash in recent windows, bringing in the likes of Alexander Isak, Sven Botman and Anthony Gordon over the last 12 months. However, spending £87m on Felix would break their transfer record by a considerable margin, blowing the £60m they paid for Isak out of the water.

Felix is keen to stay in England, but is understood to be ‘obsessed’ with playing in the Champions League next term, which would rule out the possibility of him extending his contract at Chelsea.

Manchester United have been linked with the Portuguese star, and Newcastle have now emerged as a potential option, but neither side are guaranteed a place in Europe’s elite club competition yet.

Both teams are currently level on 66 points and occupy the final two Champions League spots, but they are just one point clear of fifth-placed Liverpool, albeit having played a game less than the Reds. 

Newcastle have a pivotal game at home to Brighton on Thursday night, before finishing their campaign with matches against Leicester and Chelsea.

Two wins from their remaining three fixtures would be enough to secure a top-four finish, and could boost their chances of landing Felix.

Newcastle signed Kieran Trippier from Atletico for £12m in January 2022, and the full back has since led his side to the brink of Champions League qualification.

Their existing relationship with the Spanish giants following this deal could prove useful if they opt to step up their interest in Felix over the coming months.