Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid.
A deal has yet to be signed, but the Premier League side are expected to pay in the region of €11 million (£9.68m), which is below what their La Liga counterparts previously wanted.
There was interest from Manchester United and Arsenal, but Felix decided to choose Chelsea, because he was attracted by their program.
If all goes to plan, he will be followed to the west London club by new reinforcements this month. They are eager to revive their attack.
RUN AWAY
My game is my word. By João Félix
Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin appeared to be on the verge of offloading Felix last month.
“The right thing is to expect him (Joao Felix) to leave,” he told TVE. “Even though I want him to stay, it’s not the player’s opinion.”
The Athletic It was reported earlier this month that Atletico are looking for a €21 million (£18.6m; $22.5m) fee, which includes a €15m loan fee and a €6m wage bill.
Felix has shown form this season for Atletico but he and the club have struggled for continuity.
The Portuguese has five goals and three assists in 20 league games this season, having been used in the front line in a variety of strategies by manager Diego Simeone.
Felix started up front twice for Atletico on Sunday as they lost 1-0 at home to league leaders Barcelona. He was substituted after 73 minutes.
Chelsea made an early move in the January transfer window, bringing in David Datro Fofana from Molde and defender Benoit Badiashile from Monaco.
Both were named as substitutes for Chelsea’s FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester City, with Fofana making his debut during the 4-0 win.
Chelsea are also looking to add a striker to their ranks at the start of next season, having agreed a deal to sign Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig.
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What will Joao Felix bring to Chelsea?
The fit and free-flowing Felix would bring something very dangerous to Chelsea, as the Portuguese remains one of the most talented players in the world, if he can move from the limbo he has been in. held at Atletico Madrid.
Felix sees himself as a number 10 – Kaka was his childhood hero and he has the same ability to create from deep and close to the goal and finish.
He is good at taking the ball forward, can find a pass in tight spaces, and is adept at getting on the end of crosses.
Why this didn’t happen at Atletico is hard to see for sure, but he really wants to go to the Premier League and show what he can do, given the right opportunity.
Dermot Corrigan
(Photo: Getty Images)
