Chelsea have agreed a deal with Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Joao Felix, with the Postuguese star set for a long term contract.
According to The Athletic, Chelsea have agreed on a deal for Joao Felix, with the Portuguese attacker set to sign a long-term deal at Stamford Bridge. Atletico Madrid became an option for the Blues to consider after a failed move for Samu Omorodion, while Conor Gallagher will join the Madrid giants in a separate deal.
Chelsea set to sign Joao Felix
Joao Felix is a familiar name for the Chelsea fanbase following his brief stint at the club between January and June 2023. The Portuguese star then joined on a loan deal from Atletico Madrid after falling out with Diego Simeone. He played 20 games for the Blues, scoring four times.
That spell cannot be considered successful, for Chelsea barely made any progress with the star in their side. Either way, Felix was not part of their original transfer plan, as the 24-year-old only became an option following the collapse of the deal for Samu Omorodion.
Chelsea began talks with Atletico soon after, and the two sides were close to finalising a deal for Felix and Conor Gallagher, although the two agreements are separate. Atletico wanted the midfielder, but any deal was contingent on a big money sale, and Chelsea have now come through in the Felix deal after reaching an agreement to bring the Portuguese star to Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will reportedly pay a €55 million package, including add-ons, for the Portuguese star. Felix is set to sign a six-year deal with the option of a further 12 months written in his contract. The move is inching closer to completion and will be the subject of pending medical tests and other formalities.
Where does Felix fit in at Chelsea?
It’s a rather tricky question to answer, considering Felix is Chelsea’s ninth senior signing this summer, and there are more than a handful of players in their first-team squad. How Enzo Maresca handles these many names is anyone’s guess, although, for a player like Felix, he might have to find a place and regularly.
Felix could ideally slot into the No.10 role that Enzo Fernandez played against Manchester City on Sunday. The Portuguese star, who scored 16 goals and assisted on 12 assists last season, will have to make regular rotations in this Chelsea side.
