Transfer Centre

Joao Felix 'wants Premier League stay amid Chelsea, Manchester United links'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 13 May 2023

Joao Felix 'wants Premier League stay amid Chelsea, Man United links'

Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix is reportedly keen to remain in the Premier League next season when his loan deal with Chelsea comes to an end.

Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, currently on loan at Chelsea, reportedly wants to continue in the Premier League beyond the end of the campaign.

Amid reports of a falling out with Diego Simeone towards the end of last year, Felix was given the green light to join the Blues on loan for the remainder of the season.

Man United were also believed to have been interested in a temporary deal for the Portugal international, but Chelsea moved quickest to bring him to the Premier League, paying £9.7m for his services for six months.

Felix has earned plaudits for his all-around attacking play in England, but he has only come up with three goals from 17 appearances, all of which have come in the English top flight.

The 23-year-old has also failed to make the starting lineup for any of Chelsea's last four Premier League games, although he came off the bench to score his side's final goal in their 3-1 win over Bournemouth last weekend.

Chelsea's Joao Felix during the warm up before the match on January 12, 2023 © Reuters

Felix's loan deal at Stamford Bridge does not include an option or obligation to make permanent, and he is therefore due to head back to Atletico at the end of the season as things stand.

However, Spanish outlet Cope claims that the former Benfica starlet is hoping to remain in England for the 2023-24 season, although he would be happy to try his hand at another Premier League club rather than Chelsea.

The Blues are almost guaranteed to go without European football next season, sitting 11th in the Premier League table, and Felix is hoping to return to the Champions League next season.

Man United could therefore expect better luck should they reignite their interest in Felix this summer, while the striker would also consider switches to Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Liverpool depending on their league positions.

Arsenal and Man City are already guaranteed top-two finishes and Champions League qualification next term, although Liverpool, Newcastle and Man United are still battling for top-four places.

Atletico Madrid's Joao Felix on the bench on October 12, 2022 © Reuters

However, Felix is supposedly expecting a protracted transfer saga, and he is aware that he may begin his pre-season preparations with Atletico before any return to the Premier League comes to fruition.

As far as Chelsea are concerned, the Blues are open to keeping the striker and are said to be in talks with Atletico over making Felix's stay permanent, but the Rojiblancos are holding out for a fee of €100m (£87.9m).

The Blues could therefore try to drive the price down by including unwanted players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang or Marc Cucurella - who are admired by Atletico - in a player-plus-cash deal.

Felix was the subject of a £111.8m transfer from Benfica to Atletico in 2019, and the Portugal forward has 34 goals and 18 assists to show from 131 games for the club, winning the La Liga title in 2020-21.

Rumours of a possible end-of-season exit for Simeone led to speculation that Felix could reignite his career in the Spanish capital, but the Atletico boss is now expected to stay on beyond the summer.