Atletico Madrid News
Chelsea very interested in signing €100 million Atletico Madrid striker in the summer
As reported by Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, Chelsea will make an effort to sign on-loan forward Joao Felix on a permanent deal.
Felix, 23, moved to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid on loan for the rest of the season during the winter transfer market. The move was finalized after the Portuguese signed a new contract with Atletico until 2027.
Now, the move may look like the La Liga side do want the youngster to continue, but in all fairness, the contract was only signed to help the club remain inside the league’s salary cap.
Atletico understand that Felix is their biggest cash cow and come summer, they will do everything in power to recoup the €100 million-plus fee they paid Benfica in 2019.
It must be remembered that Chelsea do not really have any purchase option in Felix’s loan deal. So if the parties involved are to establish a middle ground, they must sit and discuss how they can achieve it.
MD says that deep down, everyone involved is interested in a permanent move. For what it’s worth, Chelsea are more than convinced of the Portuguese’s outcome while Atletico are hoping to put a €140 million valuation on the table.
This may cause some amount of distress, but Atletico know Chelsea do not really lack money. Ever since Todd Boehly’s takeover, the Blues have spent more than €600 million in transfers alone.
Furthermore, one must keep in mind that while Atletico are hoping to hit the sweet spot, Chelsea have leverage of their own. The Blues are aware of the broken relationship Felix and Atletico manager Diego Simeone share.
So while they indeed want him to continue, it certainly won’t happen on Atletico’s terms alone. In any way, Chelsea would in interested in a permanent acquisition if Felix continues to deliver on a consistent basis.
It is believed that the Blues see him as a vital member of the rebuild and even the player feels at home at Stamford Bridge.
“I feel very good at Chelsea, I like the club,” he was quoted as saying by Fabrizio Romano.
”There’s no option to buy in the contract, so if they want to keep me they’ll have to find an agreement with Atlético. I’m getting to know the club, I like it — we never know the future,” he added.
So if everything goes as planned, Felix might as well become a permanent Blue in the summer.
Sofyan Amrabat is a player in demand, with the midfielder reportedly a top target for various clubs during the January transfer window, as confirmed by his brother.
However, Atletico Madrid are also keeping tabs on the Moroccan international, with the club said to be interested in bringing him to Wanda Metropolitano.
According to Foot Mercato, Amrabat is keen on moving to La Liga, and Atletico Madrid are one of the clubs that he admires. The midfielder had previously praised Atleti boss Diego Simeone, further fueling speculation of a potential move to the Spanish capital.
Atletico Madrid’s interest in Amrabat comes in the midst of uncertainty over the future of Axel Witsel.
The Fiorentina star could be a possible replacement for the Belgian midfielder, whose contract at the club expires at the end of the season, with his father hinting at a possible exit.
However, Atleti would face competition from Barcelona in the pursuit of Amrabat, who appears to be prioritising a move to Camp Nou. The Moroccan international could potentially become an excellent alternative for Barça’s top target, Martin Zubimendi.
However, Fiorentina is unlikely to let the midfielder go cheaply, and Barcelona would have to sort out their economic situation to afford him.
That is where Atletico Madrid might look to get ahead of the Catalans. Although the Spanish giants are also struggling with finances, they may still be able to swoop in and secure the services of the Fiorentina star come the end of the season.
It is too early to deduce anything just yet. A lot will be uncovered as we enter the final phase of the season. Amrabat himself will be keen on making a definitive decision on his future, as he looks to take the next step in his career.
