Chelsea and Atletico Madrid closing in on deals to sign Joao Felix and Conor Gallagher - Reports
Journalist Ruen Uria reports that Chelsea and Atletico Madrid are close to sealing deals to sign Joao Felix and Conor Gallagher respectively. Felix has been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge and Gallagher to Los Rojiblancos.
The report claims Chelsea will pay Atleti €50 million plus €5 million in add-ons to sign Felix. They will receive €42 million for selling Gallagher to the Madrid club.
The Blues have brought in new faces this summer. Enzo Maresca's side have also added muscle to their winger options by signing Pedro Neto from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Neto's international teammate, Felix, who spent the second half of the 2022-23 season at Stamford Bridge, is set to re-join the club. The Portuguese played 20 games during his loan spell, scoring four goals.
Meanwhile, the Blues are set to part ways with Conor Gallagher, who will now reportedly partner Rodrigo De Paul in Atletico's midfield. He's set to be the second big-name Premier League star to move to the Wanda Metropolitano this summer. Julian Alvarez has joined Atleti from Manchester City.
Gallagher, a Blues academy product, is set to earn the club a big financial profit. He's set to leave after making 95 appearances across competitions, scoring 10 goals and setting up as many.
Gallagher often captained the team last season as Reece James and Ben Chilwell missed a major portion of the campaign due to fitness woes. He seemingly isn't an integral part of Maresca's plan and is now set to ply his trade in La Liga.
Joao Felix has reportedly agreed personal terms with Chelsea
Chelsea were interested in making Joao Felix's 2022-23 loan move permanent, but a deal never materialised. Instead, the Portuguese spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Barcelona.
Felix is now set to return to Stamford Bridge, this time on a permanent transfer. He's not in Diego Simeone's plans, and the club could raise cash by selling him.
As per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Felix has said yes to Chelsea's contract offer, and a deal for his transfer as well as for Gallagher's move the other way is expected to be concluded soon.
Joao Felix joined Atletico in 2019 and has scored 34 goals and provided 18 assists in 131 appearances.
At the time of his transfer, Felix was one of the best prodigies in European football. While his career hasn't panned out as expected, Felix is still only 24 and has a lot of time left to fulfil his potential.