JOAO FELIX could reportedly stay at Chelsea next season – even if the Blues refuse to stump up the £89million to buy him.
The Atletico Madrid loanee, 23, joined the Blues in the January transfer window on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
Joao Felix could stay at Chelsea – even if they do not buy him
Chelsea agreed a deal worth £10million for Felix – who is set to return to Spain in the summer.
However, the Portuguese forward is understood to want a permanent departure as he does not wish to head back to Diego Simeone‘s side.
Atletico signed Felix from Benfica in 2019 for a club record £111m and will want a significant amount of that back if Chelsea wish to prise him away from the Wanda Metropolitano permanently.
The Blues are allegedly refusing to pay the believed £89m the LaLiga side want.
But the Daily Mail are reporting that a season-long loan spell should not be ruled out.
Felix is under contract until 2027 and they state that Atletico are viewing the situation as “better to park him somewhere next season in the hope his value rises than sell him at a big loss now”.
The forward has scored two goals in 13 appearances for Chelsea since his arrival and, despite the team’s struggles on the pitch, he has become a firm favourite with supporters.
Manchester United have also recently been linked with a move for Felix.
But he has already dropped a huge hint that he wants to remain in West London.
Felix said: “The position I play, and the way we play at Chelsea is different to Atletico.
“Clearly I have more freedom to put my football into practice, to be at my best to help the team.
“I feel good playing here. It’s just a matter of getting results and it will be perfect.”
Felix added: “I spent three and a half years at Atletico and I never had a chant.
“Here in the first game I had one, but here it’s normal, they’ve got one for almost every player. It was funny.”
