Chelsea

Chelsea

Premier League • England

Chelsea could be ‘solution’ for unhappy LaLiga ace as Fabrizio Romano updates pursuit of £86m target

Joao Felix and Gavi

Fabrizio Romano claims Chelsea have joined the high-profile clubs keen to sign unhappy Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix.

Felix, 23, emerged as a star Benfica, rising through the club’s youth team before a senior debut in September 2018. Still a teenager, he scored an incredible 20 goals from 43 appearances in all competitions in 2018-2019. Unsurprisingly, the big boys came calling, with Atletico paying the Portuguese outfit around £113m for his signature in July 2019.

He left Estadio da Luz after just one season to try his luck in LaLiga. But it has not been an unqualified success with the capital outfit.

Injuries have taken their toll while his goal production slumped considerably from his time in Portugal.

He has twice bagged 10 in a season and enjoyed his best campaign in 2021-22.

The Portugal international was named the club’s Player of the Season by fans. However, things have now turned sour as his relationship with manager Diego Simeone has broken down.

Things came to a head during a Champions League group stage match against Club Brugge in October.

The Argentinian tactician asked him to warm up three times but refused to send him onto the pitch.

After the match, Felix asked his agent, Jorge Mendes, to find him a new club.

But that is easier said than done, with Los Colchoneros demanding around £86m for a deal to be done.

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked. And now Chelsea have been added to the list of Felix’s suitors.

Romano lifts lid on Felix options

Felix has started just five times in the league this season, with seven other appearances as a substitute.

He has found the net on three occasions while also assisting three goals. But it appears as though his days at Estadio Metropolitano might be numbered.

And, according to Romano, plans are afoot to try and move the player on as soon as possible.

“His agent, Jorge Mendes, is exploring possibilities with clubs,” he said on his YouTube channel. “For the moment, there are still negotiations ongoing with Atletico, but his agent is trying to find a solution.

“With [Paris Saint-Germain], the relationship is great, with Chelsea and Manchester United, there are always conversations, so it’s normal now to explore the market.”

Graham Potter may well be in the market for new attacking faces in January.

Rumours persist that at least one of Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech could be heading out of west London.

However, beating off competition from the other clubs involved will be tough. Arsenal and Aston Villa are also thought to be keen.

Clubs testing the water for Felix bid

Felix has made clear that he wants to leave Atletico. And it would be fair to say that his career has stalled under Simeone.

But doing business in January is always tricky, with very few big-money moves made mid season.

Romano was quick to point out that, while clubs are keen, talks are not at an advanced stage.

However, Los Rojiblancos are said to be open to selling their prized asset – but only at the right price.

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