Atletico Madrid are reportedly looking to extend the contract of Joao Felix before loaning him to Chelsea.
It was widely reported for several weeks that the Portugal international will be allowed to leave Wanda Metropolitano during the January transfer window.
At one point, it appeared that no clubs would take advantage of the opportunity, due to Atletico’s loan demands and the lack of a future fee in any proposal.
On Monday afternoon, however, it was revealed that Chelsea had reached an agreement to sign the 23-year-old on a season-long loan.
The Premier League club are said to have reached an agreement with Atletico Madrid and will pay a loan fee of £9.7m, far less than what was initially demanded.
If everything goes as planned, Felix should be able to transfer to Stamford Bridge within the next 48 hours, but it appears that Atletico first want to change Felix’s contract.
According to Marca, club officials want to extend the playmaker’s contract by another year.
While Felix already has a contract until 2026, extending it until 2027 would reduce the amortisation and help Atletico’s efforts to balance their books.
As things stand, it’s unclear whether Felix is willing to accept such terms, given that he isn’t regarded as a key figure under Diego Simeone.
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Despite playing 651 minutes in Spain’s top flight in 2022-23, Felix managed four goals and three assists.
Felix also contributed one goal and two assists for Portugal at the World Cup, and he is expected to arrive at Chelsea in top form.
Chelsea have made three signings since the beginning of the year, bringing in Benoit Badiashile, Andrey Santos, and David Datro Fofana.
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