Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is ‘prepared to fork out’ another €80m to sign Joao Félix on a permanent basis in the summer transfer window.
That’s according to Cadena SER, who say the Blues are more than willing to turn the Portuguese star’s loan spell into a permanent switch.
They explain that the likelihood of Félix remaining at Atlético Madrid in the summer is ‘quite remote’ if Diego Simeone continues as manager, and Chelsea would be ‘best placed’ to sign him if that is the case.
Boehly is prepared to spend the money required to get Félix’s signature and sources consulted by El Larguero speak of a figure ‘around €80m’ being required.
That figure is subject to Simeone’s continuity at the Wanda Metropolitano, which is almost guaranteed if they qualify for the Champions League.
He and Félix have a poor relationship, hence the forward’s move to Chelsea in January, and the player would seek a permanent exit if the Argentine coach were to remain in place.
Félix’s first weeks in London have been ‘very positive’ and the Blues are ‘happy’ with what they have seen, despite that red card and three game suspension on his debut.
Those close to the operation say that Chelsea’s interest in signing him permanently is real because they see him as a ‘strategic player for the future’ and expect a ‘gradual evolution’ of his game between now and the summer that will help supporters understand a possible full transfer.
His entourage remain clear that if Simeone departs then Félix will return to the Wanda Metropolitano, but if that’s not possible then he ‘would not be unhappy’ to remain at Chelsea in the Premier League.
