Atletico Madrid chief addresses Joao Felix future amid transfer links

Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo has said that there 'will be a place in the team' for Joao Felix if he returns to the club for the 2023-24 campaign.

In January, the 23-year-old signed a contract extension with Atletico until June 2027 before making the move to Chelsea on loan for the second half of the campaign.

Felix's relationship with Atletico head coach Diego Simeone is believed to have broken down in the first half of the season, which played a vital role in him seeking pastures new at the start of 2023.

The Portugal international has been a regular for the Blues, featuring on 15 occasions, but he has found it difficult to make his mark, only managing two goals for the Premier League club.

Chelsea are said to be interested in signing the attacker on a permanent basis, while Manchester United also continue to be linked with the forward.

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Cerezo has insisted that there will be a spot open for Felix if he returns this summer, but the Atletico president refused to offer any guarantees over his future.

"What's next for Joao? He will have a place in the team if he comes back here, for sure. We don't know what will happen. In football, you can't take anything for granted," Cerezo told El Larguero.

Felix joined Atletico in a big-money deal from Benfica in July 2019, and he has represented the Red and Whites on 131 occasions, scoring 34 goals and registering 18 assists.

Both of the Portuguese's goals for Chelsea this season have come in the Premier League, netting against West Ham United and Everton in February and March respectively.

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Chelsea are now highly unlikely to be present in next season's Champions League, though, due to their struggles domestically during the 2022-23 campaign.

Frank Lampard's side are currently 11th in the table, 17 points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United, while a disastrous run has seen them lose five of their last seven matches in all competitions.

The Blues have not triumphed in the league since beating Leicester City on March 11, but the club are still expected to spend heavily again during the upcoming transfer market.

Man United, meanwhile, are believed to be long-term admirers of Felix, with the club heavily linked with his services before he made the move to Atletico.

The Red Devils will be in the market for at least one forward this summer, and Erik ten Hag's side are on course for a top-four finish, currently sitting third in the table.