Chelsea are keen to press ahead with their plans to sign Joao Felix on a permanent basis 90 minutes The Portugal international is understood to be ready to join long-term even if the Blues fail to finish in the Premier League’s top four this season.
Felix joined in an expensive loan deal in January and his deal does not include an option to buy, meaning Chelsea will have to negotiate with their parent club, Atletico Madrid, once again.
90min revealed last month that Chelsea had already begun looking for a permanent move for Felix, who was valued at around £120m by Atletico when he moved to Spain in 2019.
Sources have since confirmed that a new round of talks between Chelsea and Atletico are set to take place soon, with the Blues still keen to reach an agreement on a permanent deal for the 23-year-old.
Atletico are ready to offload Felix and hope to get his higher wages off the books, but they will still demand a hefty fee of around €100m (£88m).
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Felix, who has publicly said he is enjoying life in London, is understood to be open to staying at Chelsea beyond the current campaign and if Graham Potter’s side qualify for next season’s Champions League. Failing to qualify, they will be ready to pursue this initiative permanently.
Chelsea are currently tenth in the Premier League, 11 points behind the top four, and so there remains the distinct possibility that there will be no European football at Stamford Bridge next year.
While Felix wants to play in the Champions League, 90 Minutes understands he would be happy to make the move and spend a year outside Europe’s elite club competition, but only if he is guaranteed a key role in the team – He has played eight times. Chelsea have started all eight of those games so far and scored a goal in the process.
Chelsea could raise the money needed to sign Felix by selling several fringe players. Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital ownership is willing to offload any undrafted players at the expiration, including Christian Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech, who will make the squad.
A definite arrival at Chelsea later this year is 17-year-old Phoenix All-Stars striker Dujuan ‘Whisper’ Richards. The Jamaican international has agreed a deal with the Blues and will link up with the academy after turning 18 in November.
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On this edition of Chelsea’s sonPart of the 90 Minute Podcast Network, Daniel Childs Chelsea reacts to a 3-1 win over Leicester City in the Premier League on Saturday to make it three wins in a row for Graham Potter.
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