In a stunning turn of events, Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix is reportedly willing to take a pay cut in order to secure a move back to Chelsea. The Portuguese star previously had a successful loan spell at Stamford Bridge, scoring four goals in 20 appearances before returning to Atletico.
After his time at Chelsea, Felix went on to join Barcelona on a season-long loan, where he impressed with 10 goals and six assists in 44 matches. Despite initial interest from Barcelona in keeping him, a return to the Catalan club seems unlikely now.
However, Chelsea have emerged as potential suitors for Felix once again, with negotiations currently underway. The Blues were originally pursuing Felix’s teammate, Samu Omorodion, but that deal fell through. Talks for Conor Gallagher’s move to Atletico are also in jeopardy, as the Spanish side needs to raise funds for the transfer.
Felix’s willingness to take a significant pay cut has accelerated talks between Chelsea and Atletico. Reports suggest that a deal could be struck for under £40m, despite Felix being under contract until 2029. Atletico are keen to offload him on a permanent basis rather than another loan deal.
Bringing Felix back to Stamford Bridge would provide manager Enzo Maresca with a versatile attacking option, capable of playing multiple roles in the forward line. However, Chelsea are still interested in signing a natural striker to bolster their attacking options.
While Chelsea have shifted their focus away from Omorodion, they continue to monitor alternative targets. Victor Osimhen of Napoli remains on their radar, but a move will only be pursued if he becomes available on loan. As the transfer window heats up, Chelsea remain active in the market as they seek to strengthen their squad for the upcoming season.
