Joao Felix is reportedly keen to move to Chelsea despite rival interest from Aston Villa.
Joao Felix’s time at Atletico Madrid seems to be drawing to a close this summer, as tensions between the Portuguese forward and manager Diego Simeone have reportedly reached a breaking point. Felix, who joined Los Rojiblancos in 2019 for a staggering €126 million, has struggled to consistently fit into Simeone’s tactical system.
Over the past few seasons, this has resulted in him being increasingly sidelined, with last season seeing him spend a significant portion on loan at Barcelona. While at Camp Nou, Felix managed to rediscover some of his best form, contributing 10 goals and six assists, despite the team’s overall struggles. However, due to Barcelona’s ongoing financial woes, a permanent move to the Catalan giants appears unlikely, leaving Felix’s future up in the air as he seeks a new club.
Chelsea and Aston Villa Battle for Felix
With Barcelona effectively out of the running, the race for Felix’s signature has intensified among Premier League clubs, most notably Chelsea and Aston Villa. Aston Villa have been linked with the 24-year-old throughout the summer transfer window, with Unai Emery viewing him as a potential marquee signing to bolster their attacking options.
However, Chelsea’s recent re-entry into the picture has complicated Villa’s pursuit. According to journalist Ben Jacobs via X, Felix has expressed a strong interest in returning to Chelsea, where he had a brief but eventful loan spell during the 2022/23 season.
The Portuguese international is in discussions to join the West London club for a fee in the region of €50 million. Given his history with the club, a move to Chelsea seems genuinely plausible, with both parties keen on reuniting.
A return to familiar surroundings
Chelsea’s desire to bring back Felix comes despite the club already investing heavily in this summer’s transfer window. New manager Enzo Maresca appears determined to further strengthen the squad, particularly in the attacking department, as the Blues look to improve upon their performances from the previous season.
Felix’s earlier stint at Stamford Bridge was a mixed experience; he made headlines with a straight red card on his debut, which resulted in a three-match suspension. However, after serving his ban, Felix began to show flashes of his considerable talent, scoring four goals in 20 appearances. His brief but impactful time at Chelsea left a positive impression on both fans and club officials, which likely contributed to his interest in a return.
For Felix, a move back to Chelsea represents an opportunity to reignite his career at the highest level, under a manager who is eager to make his mark in the Premier League. For Chelsea, securing Felix would not only add depth to their forward options but also bring back a player with unfinished business at the club. As the transfer window draws closer to its conclusion, it remains to be seen whether Chelsea can outmanoeuvre Aston Villa and finalise a deal for the talented forward.
