Chelsea have been mightily impressed by Joao Felix since his arrival in January. The Portuguese was signed on a short term loan deal until the end of the season, with the Blues paying £9.7 million in loan fees. Felix’s presence has forced CFC to consider keeping him beyond this season.
Felix has netted three goals in 13 Premier League outings for Chelsea, which isn’t eye catching, but his presence in the attack gives Chelsea the drive that is needed up front. He’s an excellent ball carrier and creates goalscoring chances, something that Blues have lacked all season.
Felix isn’t a No.9, he’s more confident playing as a second forward, with a striker ahead of him. At Chelsea, he will be dreaming of playing that role. He has often started on the left wing and drifted inwards in the buildup phase.
Chelsea want to sign Joao Felix permanently
Felix is also happy at Chelsea and has indicated that he would be open to continuing his career at Stamford Bridge. CFC are also keen to explore the idea of signing the Portuguese permanently but Atletico Madrid aren’t going to make the negotiations easy.
The Spanish giants paid £114 million to Benfica in 2019 and would like to recoup the maximum possible amount. Los Rojiblancos continue to stick to their £88 million price tag, which Chelsea are skeptical to pay, given their own situation with FFP. If CFC cannot pay the asking price, Atletico Madrid would be willing to loan Felix again with the loan price set at £16 million.
According to Evening Standard, Chelsea have expressed the idea of reducing the asking price by offering players to Atletico Madrid. Diego Simeone’s side are interested in Chelsea striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and left back Marc Cucurella. CFC would be open to doing swap deals to sign Felix permanently.
Aubameyang is not in Chelsea’s future plans and is expected to leave in the summer transfer window. The Gabonese international is generating interest from Barcelona and AC Milan but if Chelsea can use the 33 year old in a swap deal to lower Felix asking price, they will try to convince Aubameyang to join Atletico Madrid.
Cucurella signed from Brighton for £60 million but has not lived up to the expectations. He’s gone through a flurry of ups and downs over the past year as he bides his time as a cover to Ben Chilwell who has been in terrific form in the second half of the season. If sending Aubameyang and Cucurella can reduce Felix’s asking price, CFC should not wait a moment before sending a player plus cash proposal.
Should CFC sign Joao Felix permanently?