Chelsea has revived their interest in acquiring Joao Felix, a 24-year-old forward currently with Atletico Madrid, whose future at the club is uncertain.
Felix recently returned from a loan spell at Barcelona, where he made 30 appearances in La Liga, scoring seven goals and providing three assists, helping the club secure a second-place finish.
Despite his promising performances, Felix’s impact waned towards the end of his stay at Barcelona, leading to his return to Atletico Madrid.
However, he has remained part of Diego Simeone’s pre-season squad and has made a notable impact in recent friendlies, including scoring a goal against Juventus.
Simeone praised Felix’s efforts, acknowledging his contribution to the team and stating that he will continue to value him as long as he remains with Atletico Madrid.
Shortly after, reports emerged that Chelsea had rekindled their interest in Felix, with negotiations underway between the two clubs.
The discussions reportedly include the possibility of a deal involving Felix and Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, who recently visited Atletico Madrid.
Gallagher’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is said to be in London as talks continue.
Atletico Madrid is eager to sign Gallagher, as well as Manchester City’s Julian Alvarez, but their ability to secure these deals depends on selling a forward.
Felix previously spent time on loan at Chelsea in the 2022/23 season, becoming a fan favorite despite playing a limited number of games.
However, Chelsea’s then-new head coach, Mauricio Pochettino, was not interested in keeping Felix permanently.
The renewed interest in Felix comes after a previous attempt to sign Samu Omorodion fell through.
If a deal is reached, it could potentially see Felix return to Stamford Bridge, where he has already shown his quality during his previous loan spell.
However, the negotiations are still ongoing, and the outcome remains uncertain.
It’s worth noting that Felix’s future at Atletico Madrid has been uncertain, and his return to the club has not guaranteed his place in the team.
Simeone’s praise for Felix’s efforts suggests that he still values the player, but the club’s eagerness to sign other players may depend on selling Felix.
Chelsea’s interest in Felix may provide an opportunity for him to return to the Premier League and revive his career.
