Joao Félix is One Step Away from Joining Chelsea
Joao Félix, Atlético Madrid's forward, is in the final stages of his transfer to Chelsea, a move that has captured the attention of the football world. The Portuguese player's agents are in negotiations to finalize the details of his contract with the English club, after both teams agreed on a fee of $55.4 million, plus $11 million in variables, for the transfer.
The Portuguese player, who traveled with Atlético Madrid for the first matchday of LaLiga, could see his transfer to Chelsea completed in the coming days, provided that personal terms of his contract, which is expected to run until 2030, are agreed upon. This move will also allow Atlético to finalize the arrival of Conor Gallagher, who will strengthen the midfield for the Madrid-based club.
Joao Félix, who hasn't played an official match for Atlético since January 2023, spent last season on loan at Barcelona, following a previous loan spell at Chelsea in the second half of the 2022-23 season. Despite his return to the Madrid club for preseason, his future has always been uncertain, and his transfer seemed inevitable.
Atlético Madrid, which has been working intensively in recent days to unblock Félix's transfer, sees this move as an opportunity to close the signing of Gallagher, a key target for the club in this summer's transfer market. The arrival of the English midfielder will strengthen a squad that has already added names like Robin Le Normand, Alexander Sorloth, and Julian Álvarez.
Should Joao Félix's transfer be finalized, it will mark the end of a rollercoaster stint at Atlético Madrid, where the Portuguese played 131 matches, scored 33 goals, and provided 16 assists, contributing to the LaLiga title in the 2020-21 season. With his departure, Atlético Madrid looks to restructure its squad for the new season.