Chelsea are ready to hand two players over to Atletico Madrid as part of a package to sign Joao Felix permanently, despite the pair having only arrived in west London 12 months ago.
The Blues paid the Spanish side £14m to take Felix on loan in January, one of several new arrivals aimed to revitalize Chelsea’s stuttering season. However, it hasn’t worked out that way, and after a dismal run of form they currently sit 11th in the Premier League, with no hope of European football of any kind next season.
Felix himself has been hit and miss too, with some gorgeous moments of skill overshadowed by the bigger issue, goals. In his 13 Premier League games for the club, he has found the net just three times, and hasn’t registered an assist.
However, that has not stopped Chelsea from being keen on making the deal permanent, though Atletico Madrid are still demanding around £88m for the 23-year-old, who is under contract in the Spanish capital until 2027.
According to the London Evening Standard, one way to do a permanent deal would be to include players heading the other way, and they claim that ‘Chelsea have also expressed their desire to reduce Felix’s asking price through swap deals, after learning that the Spanish side are interested in both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marc Cucurella.’
Both players only joined the Blues last summer, for a grand total of £72m, but both have fallen out of favour and are set to be cut adrift this summer if possible.
Alternatively, Atletico are also open to another loan move for Felix, which may end up being the more likely outcome. However, they would demand £16m from Chelsea to take him for next season.
