Revealed: Joao Felix's secret Chelsea clause

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 23 Jan 2023 20:01 GMT
• 4 min read

Joao Felix is currently just over a week into his six-month loan spell at Chelsea, with the Portuguese forward arriving until the end of the 2022/23 season during the January transfer window.

The 23-year-old crucially extended his contract at parent club Atletico Madrid until 2027 before joining Chelsea on loan, with the Blues not able to include a buy option in the deal.

Instead, the West London club spent €11 million on a six-month loan deal, while also paying Felix's wages in full. His start to life at Stamford Bridge hasn't gone swimmingly after he was shown a red card on his debut after a high challenge on Fulham's Kenny Tete at Craven Cottage.

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However, the former Benfica academy graduate had impressed during his time on the pitch against Marco Silva's men and finally provided Graham Potter with an attacker capable of sparking Chelsea into life.

Since his sending-off, two more players of that ilk have arrived - in the shape of Mykhailo Mudryk and Noni Madueke.

With Christopher Nkunku set to join in the summer and the absence of a buy option included in Felix's loan move, a permanent deal in the summer seemed to be off the cards. But, that might not be the case thanks to a secret clause in the contract.

READ: Mudryk compared to club legend Hazard after exciting Chelsea debut

Joao Felix to Chelsea on a permanent deal?

As reported by The Athletic, 'there is a clause in Joao Felix's Chelsea loan deal which opens the door to a permanent transfer in the summer. Atletico Madrid state that Felix remains their player, so "logically" they are counting on him for next season.'

The wording is very particular and means that Chelsea are still unlikely to land the Portuguese star as he is still owned by Atleti, who are keen to keep him, but there remains a chance that he is signed on a permanent deal by Chelsea thanks to the presence of this secret clause.

Felix cost Atletico €127m when they purchased him from Benfica in 2019, and it's believed the Spanish giants would like to recoup a lot of that fee were they to grant a sale.

The 23-year-old has so far scored 34 goals and assisted 18 in 131 appearances for Atletico Madrid.