Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has insisted that he would have no problems welcoming Joao Felix back into the team during the 2023-24 campaign.
The 23-year-old left Atletico on loan in January to make the move to Chelsea, but a disappointing spell with the Blues saw him only manage four goals in 20 appearances.
The Premier League club have allegedly decided against signing him on a permanent basis, with the Portugal international therefore set to return to his parent club this summer.
Newcastle United are currently being credited with an interest in the forward, but Simeone has suggested that Felix will be brought back into the Atletico side next term.
"Joao is our player. If Chelsea don't want to sign him as apparently [Mauricio] Pochettino decided... he will be back here and he will be part of our team. I can work with him, I've no problem at all with Joao. He knows that," Simeone told El Partidazo de COPE.
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There have been suggestions that Felix's relationship with Simeone broke down earlier this season, but both individuals have denied those rumours in recent months.
Atletico president Enrique Cerezo also recently addressed the Portuguese's future, claiming that the club 'do not have a plan yet' when it comes to the forward.
"The truth is I can't say what Joao's future holds", Cerezo told Marca. "Yesterday we got the news that the new manager at Chelsea is planning without him. We don't have a plan yet, but Joao is now an Atlético player."
Felix made the move to Atletico from Benfica in the summer of 2019, and he has represented the Red and Whites on 131 occasions, scoring 34 goals and registering 18 assists in the process.
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The forward penned a new contract with Atletico before he left on loan in January, with his current agreement due to run until the summer of 2027.
Felix showed glimpses of his talent during his time at Chelsea, and he netted in the team's penultimate Premier League game of the season against Manchester United on May 25.
However, a turbulent and untidy season for the Blues saw them finish down in 12th spot in the Premier League table, so there will be no European football at Stamford Bridge next term.
Man United are thought to be long-term admirers of Felix, although there has been no indication at this stage that the Red Devils are lining up a summer move for him.
Felix would allegedly be open to making the move to Newcastle in the upcoming market, with the Magpies qualifying for next season's Champions League.
Matt Law
