Atletico Madrid have reportedly set an asking price for Joao Felix, who is currently on loan at Chelsea.
During the January transfer window, Atletico made the decision that they were prepared to allow the club-record signing to head elsewhere in a bid to help balance the books.
The forward is also known to have an indifferent relationship with Diego Simeone, despite the Argentine using the player frequently in the weeks before and after the World Cup.
Chelsea emerged as the only club willing to pay a loan fee without being provided with the option to sign the 23-year-old on a permanent basis in the summer.
As it stands, the Portugal international has played just one game for the Blues after being sent off on his debut versus Fulham on January 12.
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However, he is in line to feature at the weekend when Chelsea square off against West Ham United, while he has also been included in the West Londoners' Champions League squad ahead of players who were signed on a full-time basis last month.
Nevertheless, according to reports in Spain, Chelsea seemingly face the prospect of being priced out of making a cash bid for Felix later in 2023.
Atletico allegedly intend to demand in the region of €140m (£124.3m) for the versatile attacker, more than they paid Benfica for his signature in 2019.
Whether Atletico are capable of generating that figure may depend on whether Felix makes a positive impression during the final three-and-a-half months of the season.
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Felix still has over four years left on his contract at Wanda Metropolitano, putting Atletico in a strong position with regards to his future.
That said, Atletico have been attempting to balance their books of late, partly a consequence of their early exit from the Champions League and lack of Europa League football as a second option.
Simeone's side have recently put together a four-match unbeaten streak to establish a three-point lead over fifth-placed Rayo Vallecano in the La Liga table.
Antoine Griezmann and Alvaro Morata are currently leading the line with Memphis Depay - Felix's replacement - being kept in reserve.
Darren Plant
