August 19, (THEWILL) – Chelsea are close to finalising a deal to bring Joao Felix back to Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis. Talks with Atletico Madrid have reached the final stages, with only minor details left to resolve. The Portuguese forward spent six months on loan at Chelsea in 2023, scoring four goals in 20 appearances.
The proposed transfer would see Felix sign a long-term contract with Chelsea, potentially keeping him at the club until 2031. While the exact fee has not been confirmed, reports suggest it could be around £40 million plus additional bonuses. This would mark a significant reduction from the £113 million Atletico paid to acquire Felix from Benfica in 2019.
Felix’s return to Chelsea comes after a season-long loan at Barcelona, where he contributed 10 goals and 6 assists across all competitions. The 24-year-old primarily played on the left wing for the Catalan club, a position currently occupied by Christopher Nkunku at Chelsea.
If completed, this transfer would continue Chelsea’s active summer in the transfer market. Felix would become the club’s tenth signing of the window, following the recent £54 million acquisition of Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The potential arrival of Felix adds further depth to Chelsea’s attacking options. Manager Enzo Maresca will have decisions to make regarding his forward line, with Nicolas Jackson starting as the central striker in their English Premier League opener against Manchester City.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
