OFFICIAL: Atletico Madrid striker Joao Felix joins Chelsea on loan
Chelsea officially announced that Atletico Madrid striker Felix joined the team on loan until the end of the season. At the same time, Atletico Madrid announced that they will renew their contract with Felix until June 2027. The official media accounts of Chelsea has announced Felix's arrival.
Felix joined Atletico Madrid from Benfica in the summer of 2019 and represented Atletico Madrid in 131 appearances, scoring 34 goals and 18 assists. According to Western media reports, due to conflicts with coach Simeone and playing time and other factors, Felix decided to leave the team.
“Chelsea is one of the great teams in the world and I hope to help the team reach their objectives - I’m very, very happy to be here and very excited to play at Stamford Bridge." Felix said.
Chelsea have confirmed the half-season loan signing of Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.
Graham Potter's side won the race to sign the Portugal international - who was seen leaving the Atletico training ground on Tuesday before flying to London with his influencer girlfriend - and the Blues will pay a £11million loan fee for the player.
Chelsea have been struck by an injury crisis in recent weeks and acted quickly to get Felix's deal over the line amid interest from Premier League rivals Man United and Arsenal.
Felix has also signed a one-year extension with Madrid, meaning he will likely return to Spain upon the end of his loan deal at Stamford Bridge.
The forward has had an inconsistent spell for Atletico this season, registering four goals and three assists from his 14 LaLiga appearances.
His performances during the World Cup - contributing one goal and two assists - suggest there is more to come from a player who was once so highly touted.
Felix joined the Spanish club for about £120million - one of the most expensive deals of all time - from Benfica in summer 2019, however has struggled in the Madrid side.
His performances for Benfica, as an 18-year-old, sparked interest across the world as Felix recorded 15 goals and seven assists in his first year in the Portuguese top-flight.
Since making the move to Spain, Felix has scored 34 goals in 131 appearances - which is underwhelming return for the young talent.
During his time in Spain, Felix has won one LaLiga title.
The 23-year-old forward becomes Chelsea's fourth acquisition of the January window - having already confirmed deals for Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos and Datro Fofana.
French defender Badiashile completed a £35million move from Monaco and was in the stands at Stamford Bridge for their recent 1-0 loss to Man City.
Meanwhile youngsters Santos and Fofana only completed their respective moves in recent days and are yet to feature for Graham Potter's side.
It's unconfirmed whether any of the aforementioned players will feature against Fulham on Thursday.
The Blues have beaten Premier League rivals Manchester United and Arsenal to the signing of the Portugal forward, with neither side willing to pay the €11m (£9.69m) loan fee.
Felix travelled to London on Tuesday to undergo a medical ahead of joining Chelsea for the rest of the season.
The 23-year-old becomes Chelsea's fourth signing of the month following the arrivals of Benoit Badiashile, David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos.
Felix joined Atletico from Benfica in a €126m (£111m) deal from Benfica in 2019.
The LaLiga side have been prepared to let Felix - who has five goals and three assists in all competitions this season - leave on loan in January because of his difficult relationship with manager Diego Simeone.
'Chelsea also want right-back and midfielder'
Sky Sports chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
"You’ve got to factor in Felix's wages. He earns more than £250,000 per week so Chelsea have to cover his wages as well.
"Chelsea have been criticised because they’re spending so much money in the transfer market, but they do have a strategy this month.
"Ideally, they would like a right-back as well, and a midfield player."
'Felix deal works for both parties'
Sky Sports reporter Dharmesh Sheth:
"This deal works for both parties. Chelsea would probably look to the summer when they can reassess and see what other options are out there.
"For Atletico Madrid, they paid close to £120m for Felix. If they were to include an option price now or sell him now, they wouldn’t get anywhere near that money.
"It’s likely they won’t get anywhere near that money when they do eventually sell him, but if he goes to Chelsea and performs really well for six months, he can then go back to Atletico with three years left on his contract and maybe his value is higher.
"Arsenal wanted to sign him as well, and Manchester United were looking at him."