With an already substantial squad, Chelsea had already signed nine additional players in this summer transfer window. Eager to bet on the future, the London club had attracted other young players for the next transfer windows, such as Estevao and Kendry Paez. But for his starting eleven, everything was not yet settled and Enzo Maresca wanted to offer himself a big offensive name to complete his team. Eager to get Conor Gallagher to leave, the Blues had checked Samu Omorodion for an exchange with Atlético de Madrid… but the Spanish striker had finally stayed in Madrid.
But after some thought, João Félix’s name came up. Recruited for 126 million euros in the summer of 2019, the Portuguese never met Diego Simeone’s expectations. Since then, the 24-year-old attacking midfielder had already been loaned to Stamford Bridge during the second half of the 2022-2023 season (4 goals in 20 matches), but had also not seduced Mauricio Pochettino, the Blues coach at the time. Still loaned last season to FC Barcelona, Félix did not convince Barça (10 goals, 6 assists, 44 matches), in addition to a price too high for the club.
A six-year contract, plus an option
Having become undesirable for his return to Atlético, the Viseu native was quickly convinced by a return to the other side of the Channel, to Chelsea, who have just made his transfer official: “Chelsea are delighted to announce the permanent signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid. Joao, a proven striker for the Portugal national team, has signed a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge and will join his new team-mates in training in the coming days.”
João Félix will therefore have the opportunity to finally perform fully at Chelsea, who have signed him for the next six seasons. According to the English press, an additional optional year is also included in this deal which allowed Atlético de Madrid to welcome Conor Gallagher in a perilous deal of around €70 million, but which finally satisfies all parties. The former Benfica striker, who is now 24, has a lot at stake for the rest of his career.
