Chelsea Reach Verbal Agreement To Sign Joao Felix On Loan From Atletico Madrid.

Chelsea are closing in on a deal to sign Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix on loan for the rest of the season.

The Portuguese forward is expected to sign a six-month loan deal that will keep at Stamford Bridge till the end of the season.

Blues owner Todd Boehly continues to back manager Graham Potter in the transfer market. He is keen to bolster the Chelsea injury-hit squad, who have slipped to 10th in the Premier League and were hammered 4-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup on Sunday.

According to reports, the Blues have a verbal agreement in place for a loan seal "approximately €11million, to sign Joao Felix who is also determined to leave the Wanda Metropolitano after struggling with the playing style, and falling out of favour under Diego Simeone, but a deal has not been finalised just yet. 

Atletico made Felix the fifth most expensive player in history when they paid Benfica £113m for the then 19-year-old in 2019.

Although Felix has impressed at times, he has not reached the heights expected on a consistent basis.

He is currently searching for a lost spark, having struggled to produce his best across three-and-a-half years with the Rojiblancos, leading to reports that he is open to a new challenge.

Felix has registered just 34 goals and 18 assists for Atletico through 130 appearances in all competitions

The 23-year-old played for Portugal at the just concluded 2022 World Cup in Qatar, and scored one goal in five outings at the tournament.

There is said to be plenty of interest in Felix from elsewhere, especially in the Premier League, with both Arsenal and Manchester United who are in need of attacking reinforcements, have shown interest, but backed out due to Atletico Madrid’s initial £18m asking price.

Felix is said to be ‘attracted by the project’ at Stamford Bridge and the prospect of working under Graham Potter which could be a good chance to revive his career.