Atletico Madrid and Chelsea are locked in negotiations for Portuguese forward Joao Felix, as the two clubs try to salvage a deal for Conor Gallagher, and relations between the clubs.
Los Rojiblancos were enormously frustrated by the collapse of Samu Omorodion’s €40m move to Chelsea, after the Blues reportedly changed the conditions at the last minute. Chelsea are now moving to bring in Felix, but talks are believed to be tense.
💣🚨 BREAKING: Chelsea has asked Conor Gallagher to return to London on Tuesday and is arranging his flight.
The door remains open for Gallagher to join Atlético Madrid after his medical, pending agreement from all parties.
Chelsea views each deal separately, including João… pic.twitter.com/9LoJ7XFbft
— Atletico Universe (@atletiuniverse) August 12, 2024
Agent Jorge Mendes is in London negotiating with the clubs too, but it appears he has more work to do. Record in Portugal, as quoted by Diario AS, say that Atletico have turned their nose up at an offer worth €35m plus €35m down the line in an obligatory purchase deal, although Los Colchoneros deny receiving any formal bids.
Atletico have been trying to offload Felix for two summers, and while they obviously will have minimum figures to hit, it would be a surprise if they did not take the chance to do so. The 24-year-old is one of, if not they best-paid players at the Metropolitano, and still has five years left on his contract. Felix’s stock has plummeted in the past two seasons after successive benchings by Chelsea first and then Barcelona.