Atletico Madrid want to extend Joao Felix’s contract at the club before loaning him to Chelsea.
Los Rojiblancos are locked in talks with the Premier League giants over a potential January deal for the Portuguese international.
Despite previous transfer interest from Arsenal and Manchester United, rivals Chelsea are now set to clinch a loan deal.
Reports from The Athletic’s transfer expert David Ornstein claim Chelsea and Atletico have a verbal agreement in place, with talks almost completed.
🚨 Chelsea reach verbal agreement to sign Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid. Fee ~€11m (below initial #Atleti ask). Man Utd + Arsenal keen so 23yo had choice & #CFC project appealed. More reinforcements to follow this month @TheAthleticFC #MUFC #AFC https://t.co/igZlGZuf8h
— David Ornstein (@David_Ornstein) January 9, 2023
However, the chance of a purchase clause being included in the move appear to be reducing, with Atletico uncertain on what to do with the 23-year-old.
His current contract in the Spanish capital expires in 2026, and according to reports from Marca, Atletico want to extend that to 2027, before signing off a loan switch.
Atletico are looking to release a hefty wage from their salary bill in the second half of the campaign, to potentially allow Felix to rediscover his spark, without losing him permanently.
Chelsea is a big team and needs big and great coach with big ego.This is a team that won the champions league few years ago so no excuses.Chelsea is not try and error team.we want results and current footballing system