Chelsea fans jubilates as £111 forward wants Stamford Bridge move
According to The Sun, forward Joao Felix looks increasingly likely to remain at Stamford Bridge beyond this summer.
The Portuguese joined The Blues on loan from Atletico Madrid in January, with the Premier League side paying around £9.7 million in fees.
Since arriving in England, the 23-year-old has made 16 appearances for Chelsea across all competitions, although he has scored just two goals.
It had been reported that the player’s future would depend on whether or not Chelsea finished in the top four, but the report now claims that he is unlikely to return to his parent club despite Chelsea’s dismal campaign.
Atletico have won 12 of the 16 games that they have played since the Portugal international’s departure in January, and it is suggested that the Spanish side have moved on.
The player, who cost Atletico £111 million when he was signed from Benfica in 2019, has made more than 130 appearances for the Spanish side across all competitions, scoring 34 goals and providing 18 assists.
Manager Diego Simeone is said to be keen to offload Felix permanently, but Chelsea are currently unwilling to pay the £88 million that their Spanish counterparts are demanding.
It is claimed that the most likely resolution is that the two sides will reach an agreement over a second loan deal, with Chelsea likely to have to pay £18 million in loan fees, as well as splashing out £250,000-per-week on the player’s wages.