According to reports, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are preparing a remarkable double swap deal to bring Joao Felix permanently to Stamford Bridge.
Felix, 23, joined the team in January on a temporary loan after agreeing to a new contract with Atletico Madrid before moving to England.
Despite the club’s troubles, which now see them lying in the bottom half of the Premier League standings despite spending about £600 million on acquisitions since last summer, the Portuguese international has excelled since making his blue debut.
Felix has been the only bright spot for the team during a difficult season, scoring three goals in his 13 appearances since getting dismissed on his debut. Felix may potentially be in line for an extended stay in London before the summer transfer market.
The Evening Standard reports that Chelsea may make offers to the La Liga heavyweights this summer to convince them to let the teenage forward go, including those for Marc Cucurella and Pierre-Emerick Aubemeyang.
After only a year at Stamford Bridge, both players’ careers would come to an end as Chelsea looks to avoid another potential loan situation by signing the Portuguese on a long-term contract.
Aubameyang hasn’t been in his best shape while wearing a Chelsea jersey, and most recently, he was substituted by interim manager Frank Lampard within the first 45 minutes of a match against his previous team Arsenal.
Cucurella, a defender who recently joined Chelsea for £62 million from Brighton and Hove Albion, was another recent acquisition made by the new Chelsea management. However, the Spaniard has had difficulties since moving to Stamford Bridge, much like his teammate Aubameyang.
Regardless of how they handle their business, Chelsea will need to reduce their roster size because they now have 32 first-team players, and exchange deals like this one could be a very effective method to do so.
