Chelsea ‘reach verbal agreement with Atletico Madrid for loan signing of Joao Felix’

Chelsea have reached a verbal agreement to sign Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid. 

Sportsmail understands that Chelsea will pay a loan fee of around £9m, which is well below the £13.25m Atletico initially wanted, and they will cover his wages for the rest of the season.

Felix has been linked with Manchester United and Arsenal but Chelsea’s project is reportedly appealing to him. 

Chelsea have struck a verbal agreement for the loan signing of Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid

The Blues have acted swiftly to land Felix, who has made it clear that he wants to leave Atletico. 

United reportedly balked at the loan fee being demanded by the Spanish giants and have since turned their attention to former Burnley striker Wout Weghorst. 

Arsenal are also seeking reinforcements up front but were also put off by the price, and held talks with Atletico in a bid to lower it.

Chelsea are eager to revitalise their attack as Graham Potter’s team look to improve

Chelsea are eager to revitalise their attack, with Graham Potter’s side having struggled in that department since he took over.

Felix, 23, has been inconsistent at Atletico this season. He has scored four goals and provided three assists in 14 LaLiga appearances.

In 2019 Felix joined Atletico from Benfica for £113million, which remains the fourth highest transfer fee in football history. 

Felix was linked with Manchester United and Arsenal but is attracted by Chelsea’s project

Chelsea have scored just three goals in their last eight games in all competitions and at times have used Kai Havertz up front, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang out of favour.

Felix is expected to be the latest arrival at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea having  already announced the signings of Benoit Badiashile, who cost £58million from Monaco, David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos so far this window.

Chelsea are targeting Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who shone as Argentina won the World Cup, and have reportedly offered £87million plus Hakim Ziyech on a permanent deal as well as Fofana and Santos on loan.

Chelsea are also interested in securing the signing of Benfica midfielder Enzo Fernandez

But Benfica boss Roger Schmidt appeared to have declared closed Chelsea’s £112m pursuit of the player on Monday in another blow to Boehly.

The Blues have also been linked with Mykhailo Mudryk of Shakhtar Donetsk and Borussia Monchengladbach’s Marcus Thuram. Dani Olmo of RB Leipzig is also being monitored. 

Boehly had been overseeing Chelsea’s transfer business after appointing himself as interim sporting director, but reports suggest he has now relinquished that role.

He has handed over to Paul Winstanley and Christopher Vivell, Chelsea’s new director of global talent and transfers and technical director, respectively.

Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly has relinquished his title as the club’s interim sporting director

Chelsea spent over £270m on new signings in Boehly’s first window since his consortium took over the club. 

Pressure has grown on Potter after his side were thrashed 4-0 by Manchester City in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday.

Frustrated Blues fans in the away end chanted the name of former manager Thomas Tuchel and of Roman Abramovich as they watched their team’s hapless performance at the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues also sit down in 10th place in the Premier League, 19 points behind leaders Arsenal. 

Paul Winstanley (L) and Christopher Vivell (R) pictured with Chelsea signing Benoit Badiashile