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Atletico Madrid reportedly want £50 million for attacker Joao Felix, a Chelsea target. The 24-year-old is back at his parent club after spending the 2023-24 season with Barcelona.
Since arriving in the summer of 2019, Felix has had a rather underwhelming stint at the Wanda Metropolitano, contributing 34 goals and 18 assists in 121 games across competitions. However, he last played for the side in the first half of the 2022-23 season, spending the second half on loan at Chelsea.
Despite being contracted till 2029, Felix is seemingly surplus to requirements for Diego Simeone. Amidst talks of a fallout with the Argentinian boss, Felix has been linked with an exit. Sky Sports (via CFC Daily) has now reported that Atletico could let the Portuguese leave for £50 million.
Incidentally, Felix's potential arrival at Stamford Bridge could have ramifications for Blues midfielder Conor Gallagher's move to the Rojiblancos. The 24-year-old Englishman is waiting for his Atletico move to be confirmed after the Blues pulled out of a deal for striker Samu Omorodion.
The Rojiblancos need cash from the sale of Omorodion or Felix to seal their reported £33.7 million move for Gallagher, who has reportedly agreed personal terms with the La Liga side.
A look at Chelsea's off-season arrivals so far
Chelsea have had another busy summer - spending nearly £250 million on new arrivals - as new boss Enzo Maresca look set to guide the side back to the UEFA Champions League.
Despite finishing sixth last season and qualifying for the UEFA Europa League, the Blues dropped down to the UEFA Europa Conference League after Manchester United upset holders Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final to claim that spot.
The Blues have wasted little time in strengthening their roster, once again focusing on young talents. As per the BBC, Maresca's side have spent £243 million on 11 new arrivals, with the latest addition being Wolverhampton Wanderers forward Pedro Neto for a reported £54 million.
The result is an extremely bloated squad of 55 players, including returnees from loan deals. The squad now includes a whopping eight goalkeepers, seven full-backs, nine centre-backs, 15 wingers, nine midfielders and seven strikers.
Of course, the group also includes a reported 14 departees, but the Blues still have work to do to submit a final 25-man squad to the Premier League - including eight homegrown players - when the summer transfer window ends on August 31.
