Chelsea's hopes of securing Joao Felix on a permanent deal have hit a stumbling block, with Atletico Madrid slapping a £51 million price tag on the Portuguese forward. The 23-year-old, currently on loan at Stamford Bridge, has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to fully convince the Blues' hierarchy to meet Atletico's demands.
Felix's Mixed Fortunes at Chelsea
Since arriving in January, Felix has netted four goals in 16 appearances for Chelsea. While his technical ability and creativity have been evident, inconsistency and a costly red card against Fulham have raised questions over whether he's worth the hefty fee.
Atletico's Firm Stance
Atletico Madrid remain adamant they won't lower their valuation, despite Felix's public desire to leave the Spanish capital. The La Liga club paid a club-record €126m for the wonderkid in 2019 and are determined to recoup a significant portion of that investment.
Chelsea's Transfer Dilemma
With new manager Mauricio Pochettino set to take charge, Chelsea must decide whether to:
- Splurge £51m on Felix despite his inconsistent form
- Attempt to negotiate a lower fee with Atletico
- Walk away and focus on other attacking targets
The Blues' extravagant spending under Todd Boehly's ownership - over £600m across two transfer windows - adds further pressure to make the right call on Felix's future.
