Joao Felix’s stance on joining Chelsea permanently if they don’t secure Champions League spot
According to 90min, Chelsea is eager to proceed with their intentions of permanently acquiring Joao Felix. Even if Chelsea fails to secure a top-four spot in the Premier League this season, the Portugal international is reportedly willing to commit to a longer-term stay.
Felix initially joined Chelsea on a costly loan deal in January, and because his contract did not include a purchase option, the club must negotiate with his parent club, Atletico Madrid, once more
Last month, 90min disclosed that Chelsea had already started looking into making Joao Felix’s loan move a permanent transfer. The Portugal international had cost Atletico Madrid almost £120m when he joined them in 2019.
Sources have now confirmed that Chelsea and Atletico are expected to hold new discussions shortly, as the Blues remain determined to secure a permanent deal for the 23-year-old.
While Atletico are eager to get Felix off their wage bill, they still want a substantial transfer fee, which is rumored to be around €100m (£88m).
Joao Felix has reportedly expressed his satisfaction with his life in London and is reportedly open to staying at Chelsea beyond this season. Even if the team fails to qualify for next season’s Champions League under Graham Potter, the Portugal international is said to be willing to commit to a permanent move.
Chelsea is currently in tenth place in the Premier League, and they are 11 points behind the top four. As a result, there is a distinct possibility that they will not be participating in European football at Stamford Bridge next year.
Although Joao Felix desires to play in the Champions League, 90min understands that he is willing to join Chelsea even if the club is not participating in the competition next season, as long as he is guaranteed a significant role in the team. So far, he has started in all eight of the games he has played for the club, scoring one goal in the process.
To raise the funds needed to sign Felix permanently, Chelsea could sell some of their fringe players. The Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership is reportedly willing to offload any players with expiring contracts who are unsettled, including Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech. This would create space in the squad and potentially provide the resources needed to sign Felix.
It has been confirmed that Dujuan “Whisper” Richards, a 17-year-old Jamaican striker from Phoenix All Stars, will be joining Chelsea at the end of this year.
He has already signed a contract with the Blues and will begin his time with the academy once he turns 18 in November.
Joao Felix’s stance on joining Chelsea permanently if they don’t secure Champions League spot
