Chelsea are reportedly closing in on a long move for Atletico Madrid and Portugal star Joao Felix.
According reports, Chelsea will pay a loan fee of around £9m, and will foot the wage bills of the player.
However, Atletico Madrid are placing a price tag of £13.25m on the Portugal but are willing to let him leave due to the tensed relations between him and Diego Simeone.
Manchester United were the frontrunners to sign Joao Felix on loan, but the Red Devils’ £3million loan bid was rejected by Atletico Madrid.
Now, the Red Devils are trailing Burnley and Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst, who was prolific for the Dutch in the 2022 World Cup.
Another Premier League club that is on the trail of Joao Felix is Arsenal, and there are reports former Atletico Madrid star and Ghana international Thomas Partey is keen on convincing Joao Felix to join the London-based club.
Despite interest from other Premier League rivals, Chelsea have reportedly outran others on the race to sign Joao Felix, with many referring to Chelsea’s sudden interest and moves as an hijack.
Chelsea have acted swiftly to sign Felix to beat rivals after the Portuguese said he wants to leave Atletico Madrid.
Further reports have confirmed Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are in the final stages of the agreement and preparing documents to finalize the deal.
Joao Felix will be a great addition for the Blues as the club hopes to revitalise the attack after struggling up front in recent games.
Graham Potter has struggled in the last twelve games with Chelsea, including back-to-back defeats to Manchester City in the Premier League and FA Cup.
They have had scores of key players sidelined with excruciating injury, leaving Graham Potter with no choice but to field growing youngsters even in big games.
Recently, Raheem Sterling got injured, leaving Graham Potter with no choice than Pierre-Emerick Aubamenyang, who has struggled in front of goals since joining the club.
Mason Mount and Kai Havertz are also out of form, and the Blues’ attacking momentum has been crippled.
Joao Felix can return the spark to the club’s attack, but the Blues still have much worries as they advanced on the loan deal.
Felix, 23, has been inconsistent at Atletico this season. He has scored four goals and provided three assists in 14 LaLiga appearances. Nevertheless, a spell with the Blues can still brighten up their chances in the Premier League.
In 2019, Felix joined Atletico from Benfica for £113million, which remains the fourth highest transfer fee in football history.
Chelsea have scored just three goals in their last eight games in all competitions and at times have used Kai Havertz up front, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of favour.
Felix is expected to be the latest arrival at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea having already announced the signings of Benoit Badiashile, who cost £58million from Monaco. Also, David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos have joined the club so far this window.
