Chelsea transfer: João Félix joins Chelsea on loan for remainder of season

4th signing of window  

Chelsea have completed the signing of Atlético Madrid forward João Félix on loan for the remainder of the season. As reported by the Athletic among others, the Portugal international’s move to Stamford Bridge does not include a buy-out clause or any future deal for the young forward, who has a current market value of €50 million. Arsenal and Manchester United were reportedly interested in signing the 23-year-old forward, but the forward has now opted for Chelsea. 

The deal makes Felix the Premier League club’s fourth signing of the January transfer window, following the arrival of Benoît Badiashile from Monaco, Vasco da Gama midfielder Andrey Santos and Molde striker David Datro Fofana, as Chelsea‘s spending on new signings now stands at more than €355m. Atlético acquired Félix from Benfica for a club record €127.2 million in the summer of 2019. That transfer made the Portuguese attacking midfielder the fifth most expensive transfer in history and just one of 12 players with an eight-digit transfer fee (overview). 

Chelsea have completed the signing of Atlético forward João Félix on loan for the remainder of the season pic.twitter.com/nQkCElWaMb

— Transfermarkt.co.uk (@TMuk_news) January 11, 2023

João Félix never fulfilled his record deal potential – A new start at Chelsea?

Back in 2019, the transfer was considered a major surprise, as the LaLiga side beat out major competition to land the wunderkind. But Félix never fulfilled the high expectations during his time in the Spanish capital. Struggling for consistent playing time under head coach Diego Simeone, Félix’s best year was last season when he scored eight goals and four assists in 24 LaLiga games. 

In fact, there was some hope in Spain that Félix had finally achieved some sort of breakthrough last season. But Félix was unable to build on that campaign and has scored just four goals and three assists while only playing 649 minutes across 14 LaLiga games this season. As a result, his market value has continued to drop from €100m when he first signed for the Spanish giants to just €50m in the latest update last November. Not surprising the player himself has been asking for change, and Atleti have since resigned themselves to the fact that they will lose the talent while not being able to recoup the transfer fee paid. 

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