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Chelsea are reportedly close to sealing the permanent transfer of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid. The Portuguese forward is set to return to Stamford Bridge after spending the second half of the 2022-23 campaign on loan.
The Athletic reports that Felix is set to rejoin the Blues in a €45.5 million (£38.8 million) deal. The two European giants have agreed on said fee, and there are no add-on options, but a sell-on clause is included.
Felix, 24, will sign a six-year contract with Chelsea with the option of a further year. He'll become the club's 10th signing of the summer and follows compatriot Pedro Neto, who arrived from Wolverhampton Wanderers last week.
The 41-cap Portugal international's loan spell with the Blues was wholly unconvincing. He managed four goals in 20 games across competitions, and the west Londoners opted not to sign him permanently.
Felix fell out of favor with Atletico manager Diego Simeone and spent last season on loan at Barcelona. He reignited his career with the Catalans, posting 10 goals and six assists in 44 games across competitions.
The Blues' move for Felix came after a deal for his Los Colchernos teammate Samu Omorodion fell through. Conor Gallagher is headed in the opposite direction to the Wanda Metropolitano despite shining at the Bridge last season.
"Where is he getting changed?" - Jamie Carragher hit out at Chelsea closing in on signing Joao Felix
Jamie Carragher is bemused by Chelsea's expected capture of Felix. The 2019 Kopa Trophy winner becomes the latest of a hefty rebuild that commenced when Todd Boehly became co-owner in May 2022.
Carragher alluded to the constant signings made by the Blues in his assessment of the progressing transfer. He said on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football:
"You are asking where Joao Felix is going to play? Do you know what I want to ask you? Where is he getting changed at the training ground? I’m deadly serious."
Chelsea's transfer strategy in the post-Roman Abramovich era has been criticized because of the number of signings made. Felix will become the latest of a long pool of wingers in Enzo Maresca's squad.
Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Christopher Nkunku, and Neto are other winger options for Maresca. It's a strong group of talent but Carragher ponders when the spending will end.
Chelsea have spent over €1 billion since Boehly became co-owner two years ago. His ownership's spending is fifth in the top 10 all-time money spent on transfer fees in Premier League history, per Transfermarkt.
