Chelsea has reportedly revived their interest in João Félix as his future at Atlético Madrid continues to hang in the balance.
The 24-year-old forward, who recently completed a loan spell at Barcelona, is now being linked with a potential transfer to Stamford Bridge.
During his loan period at Barcelona last season, Félix made a significant impact in La Liga, appearing in 30 matches and contributing seven goals and three assists.
His performances were instrumental in helping Barcelona secure a second-place finish in the league, surpassing his parent club, Atlético Madrid.
However, despite these promising displays, Félix’s influence on the team diminished towards the latter stages of his time at Camp Nou, ultimately leading to his return to Atlético Madrid.
Back at Atlético, Félix’s future has been the subject of much speculation.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his role at the club, Félix has remained a part of Diego Simeone’s pre-season squad.
Notably, he made a strong impression in a recent friendly against Juventus, where he scored a goal after coming off the bench.
He also featured in earlier friendlies against Getafe and Kitchee, showcasing glimpses of his considerable talent.
Following the match against Juventus, Simeone spoke positively about Félix’s performance, acknowledging the forward’s contributions to the team.
Simeone remarked, “He played well in the 45 minutes he got against Getafe.
He’s an Atlético Madrid player, and as long as he’s here, we’ll value him based on how he works, just like we do with everyone else on the team.”
Despite Simeone’s words, Félix’s long-term future at Atlético remains uncertain.
Shortly after these developments, reports emerged that Chelsea had reignited their interest in signing Félix.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the Blues have initiated negotiations with Atlético Madrid regarding a possible transfer for the Portuguese forward.
This renewed interest from Chelsea comes on the heels of their unsuccessful attempt to sign Samu Omorodion, indicating their continued search for offensive reinforcements.
The discussions between Chelsea and Atlético Madrid are reportedly exploring various options, including the possibility of involving Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher in the deal.
Gallagher recently visited Atlético Madrid, and his agent, Jorge Mendes, is currently in London as talks between the two clubs continue to unfold.
The idea of a player swap, with Félix moving to Chelsea and Gallagher heading to Atlético, has reportedly been part of the ongoing negotiations.
Romano has also reported that Atlético Madrid is keen to sign Gallagher, as well as Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, but their ability to finalize these deals may depend on offloading one of their current forwards.
Selling Félix could provide Atlético with the necessary funds and squad space to pursue these targets.
Interestingly, Félix had a brief but memorable stint at Chelsea during the 2022/23 season, where he quickly became a fan favorite despite his limited appearances.
In March 2023, football.london reported that Chelsea had not included an option or obligation to buy Félix permanently as part of his loan deal, leaving his future in limbo.
Despite the uncertainty, Félix was reportedly open to the idea of extending his stay in London.
However, Chelsea’s plans changed with the arrival of new head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
According to Atlético Madrid president Enrique Cerezo, Pochettino was not interested in retaining Félix, which led to the player’s return to Atlético Madrid at the end of his loan.
In May 2023, Cerezo stated, “We’ve been informed that Pochettino does not count with Joao Felix for Chelsea. He will return here, we’ll see. We have nothing planned.”
Now, with Chelsea once again expressing interest in Félix, the situation has taken a new turn.
The outcome of these renewed negotiations remains to be seen, but if Chelsea can successfully secure Félix’s transfer, it would represent a significant move for the club as they look to strengthen their attacking options for the upcoming season.
The potential inclusion of Conor Gallagher in the deal adds another layer of intrigue to the situation, as both clubs seek to find the best solution for their respective squads.
