Chelsea has reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid to sign Portuguese international Joao Felix on a permanent basis for a fee of £46.3m. The forward had previously spent six months on loan at Stamford Bridge during the 2022/23 season. The completion of this deal also means that Conor Gallagher's move to Atletico is back on. Chelsea is also looking to sign a new striker, possibly Napoli's Victor Osimhen, after securing the signing of Felix.
Chelsea Secures Permanent Deal for Joao Felix
Chelsea has finalized a deal to sign Portuguese international Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid on a permanent basis. The forward, who spent six months on loan at Stamford Bridge during the 2022/23 season, will now join the London club on a full-time basis for a fee of £46.3m.
Background on Joao Felix
Joao Felix is a highly-rated 23-year-old forward who has been a fixture in the Portuguese national team since making his debut in 2019. He joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica in 2019 for a club-record fee of €126m.
At Atletico, Felix struggled to live up to his hefty price tag. Despite showing flashes of brilliance, he failed to establish himself as a consistent starter under manager Diego Simeone. His relationship with Simeone became strained, and he sought a loan move to Chelsea in the January transfer window.
Chelsea Loan Spell
During his loan spell at Chelsea, Felix scored six goals in 15 Premier League appearances. However, he struggled to adapt to the physicality and intensity of English football. He was also criticized for his inconsistent form and lack of defensive work rate.
Despite his mixed performances, Chelsea manager Graham Potter was impressed with Felix's potential. He sees the Portuguese as a key part of his long-term plans and has been keen to make the loan move permanent.
Implications of the Permanent Deal
The completion of Felix's permanent transfer means that Conor Gallagher's move to Atletico is also back on. The English midfielder was set to join the Spanish club on loan as part of the Felix deal, but that move was put on hold when Chelsea expressed interest in signing Felix permanently.
Chelsea is also looking to sign a new striker, possibly Napoli's Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian international has been one of the most impressive forwards in Serie A this season, scoring 11 goals in 17 appearances.
Top 5 FAQs
1. How much did Chelsea pay for Joao Felix? Chelsea paid a fee of £46.3m to Atletico Madrid for Felix.
2. How many goals did Felix score for Chelsea during his loan spell? Felix scored six goals in 15 Premier League appearances for Chelsea.
3. Why did Felix struggle to establish himself at Atletico Madrid? Felix struggled to adapt to Diego Simeone's defensive style of play and had a strained relationship with the manager.
4. What are Chelsea's plans for Felix going forward? Chelsea manager Graham Potter sees Felix as a key part of his long-term plans and will look to build his team around the Portuguese forward.
5. Is Chelsea also looking to sign a new striker? Yes, Chelsea is reportedly looking to sign a new striker, possibly Napoli's Victor Osimhen.
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