After a late collapse in the Samu Omorodion transfer, Chelsea is now eyeing Joao Felix as a potential addition. The club had previously settled on a £34.5 million fee with Atletico Madrid and offered Omorodion a seven-year contract, but the agreement fell apart at the last minute. Consequently, Chelsea has shifted focus to Felix, who had a brief loan spell at Stamford Bridge in 2023.
Felix, who netted four goals in 20 appearances during his loan, expressed his fondness for Chelsea, saying, “I don’t know yet my future, but these four or five months, I’ve loved it. It’s a top club, and everyone at the club was very good to me.
My teammates were unbelievable. I really like being here.” Despite his enthusiasm, he returned to Atletico after then-manager Mauricio Pochettino chose not to pursue a permanent transfer.
With Pochettino now having departed Chelsea due to strategic disagreements, Enzo Maresca has been appointed as the new manager, opening the door for Felix’s potential return.
Atletico, keen to offload the forward following their summer spending spree, are now looking to sell him. The club has already made huge investments, including the acquisitions of Robin Le Normand and Alexander Sorloth, and agreements for Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher and Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez.
Alvarez is poised to become Manchester City’s record sale, with Atletico set to pay up to £82 million for him. Although the transfer has yet to be officially confirmed, City manager Pep Guardiola praised Alvarez’s contribution and expressed his understanding of the player’s desire for a new challenge.