Official: Joao Felix completes Chelsea loan but signs Atletico Madrid extension

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 11 Jan 2023 16:49 GMT
• 3 min read

Chelsea have completed the signing of Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid, the club has announced.

Joao Felix's departure from Atleti was likely during the January transfer window because of a strained relationship with head coach Diego Simeone, yet it was placed in doubt because of the sizeable demands of the Spanish side, who wanted a significant loan fee for the player as well as his wages off the books.

Curiously, the Spanish club have announced that Felix has also signed a contract extension with them until 2027, suggesting that this is purely a short-term move on the part of the player, particularly as there is no buy option clause in the agreement.

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Initially, Manchester United and Arsenal were considered the front runners to land the Portugal international, who had been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo in his younger days, but it is Chelsea who have won the race for the 23-year-old.

In a statement, the Blues have confirmed: "Portuguese attacker Joao Felix will be part of the Chelsea squad for the remainder of the season, having moved to Stamford Bridge on loan from Atletico Madrid."

Joao Felix commented on the move: "Chelsea is one of the great teams in the world and I hope to help the team reach their objectives, so I am very, very happy to be here and very excited to play at Stamford Bridge."

Joao Felix to Chelsea and the 10 most expensive loan transfers ever

What next for Chelsea?

Chelsea have been chasing reinforcements during this transfer window in a bid to bring some momentum to their season following a difficult run of results under Graham Potter. In particular, their attack has come under question, with Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner leaving the club in summer, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang struggling to make any kind of positive impression since joining from Barcelona and Kai Havertz still toiling to justify his massive price tag.

Now the Blues have a versatile player to add to their arsenal and will now turn their attention to other possible reinforcements, with the midfield and right-back liable to be areas they concentrate on.

Chelsea have already been knocked back in their bid to sign Enzo Fernandez from Benfica and are liable to turn towards other midfield options for the time being.

Felix, meanwhile, is Chelsea's fourth signing of the January transfer window, following Molde forward David Datro Fofana, Monaco defender Benoit Badiashile and Vasco midfielder Andrey Santos to the club.