Premier League heavyweights Chelsea are “stepping on the gas” to beat Aston Villa to Joao Felix, with Atletico Madrid demanding €50 million to part ways with him this summer.
According to a report by Spanish outlet SPORT, Joao Felix is the subject of interest from Chelsea. The Blues are keen on accelerating the move for the Portuguese international, valued at €50 million by Atletico Madrid. Meanwhile, he is also a target for Aston Villa, but the talks between Chelsea and Jorge Mendes are progressing well.
Joao Felix and his topsy-turvy career
Joao Felix has seen his stock fall since joining Atletico Madrid from Benfica in a nine-figure deal in July 2019. Los Rojiblancos broke the bank to sign the youngster, beating heavy competition to secure his services. However, he has not made enough progress in the last half a decade, with Diego Simeone’s system not bringing the best out of him.
In addition, Felix had a run-in with Simeone, who relegated him to the sidelines at Atletico Madrid. The 24-year-old spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan at Chelsea before Barcelona completed a season-long deal last summer. The player was solid for the Blaugrana, chipping in with ten goals and six assists in 44 appearances across all competitions.
Joao Felix’s satisfactory loan stint with Barcelona compelled him to seek a summer return to the Catalan club. However, Barcelona’s financial woes have meant that a move has not materialised, with a return to the Premier League the likeliest scenario. Aston Villa and Chelsea are the Portuguese attacker’s prospective suitors in the summer transfer window. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid will sell him for €50 million.
Where next?
Aston Villa’s interest in Joao Felix is understandable. The West Midlands outfit did not complete a permanent move for Nicolo Zaniolo, forcing them into the market for a replacement. Felix has thus emerged as a viable target, with the Atletico Madrid forward open to joining Aston Villa. However, Chelsea’s emergence in the equation has caught the Villans off-guard.
The Blues have turned their attention towards Felix after their move for Samu Omorodion collapsed. While the deal to take Conor Gallagher to Atletico Madrid is separate, he has returned to Chelsea. That might be the reason why the West London giants want to accelerate the talks to secure Joao Felix’s services.
The 24-year-old Portuguese international is reportedly keen on rejoining Chelsea in the summer transfer window. With negotiations regarding a deal for Felix progressing well, a move worth €50 million might be on the cards.
