Atletico Madrid makes final decision on Joao Felix after Chelsea unwilling to pay £87m buyout clause

Chelsea hopes to retain Joao Felix at Stamford Bridge for the next season after signing him from Atletico Madrid in January on a six-month loan.

For the 2023–24 season, Atletico Madrid is willing to letting Joao Felix go on loan. Chelsea wants to retain the Portuguese attacker at Stamford Bridge for the next campaign but is reluctant to match Atletico's £87 million asking price.

The Blues, who had a poor season in front of goal, may organize a loan extension between the two teams, according to a report from the Evening Standard. Atletico are reportedly asking for a loan fee of about £16 million, which is expensive given that Chelsea would also have to pay his enormous salary for the season.

To attempt to lower the cost of Felix's move, Chelsea is said to have offered Marc Cucurella and/or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as part of a prospective swap deal. By signing Felix to a permanent agreement rather than another loan period, Todd Boehly would be able to pare down the Blues' bloated senior group.