Joao Felix has scored two goals in 15 games for Chelsea (Picture: Getty)
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly is keen to sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid in a permanent deal in the summer, according to reports.
The news is a boost to the Spanish club, who feared this week that Chelsea were not going to to make Felix’s loan permanent.
It is understood that Atletico boss Diego Simeone does not view Felix as part of his plans for next season and the club are hoping to offload him.
Their wish may now come true, with Spanish outlet Relevo reporting that Boehly is keen to keep Felix and may look to send some players to Atletico as part of a swap deal in order to bring down their £70.5m asking price.
Chelsea spent £16m to bring Felix to Stamford Bridge in January on loan for the remainder of the season but the Portugal international has only shown flashes of promise during his time in the Premier League.
Felix has started Chelsea’s last two games on the bench and was brought on as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 defeat to Brighton last Saturday and the 2-0 loss at home to Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Quizzed about Felix’s future, Atletico president Enrique Cerezo told El Larguero on Friday: ‘We’ll have to wait and see.
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‘Chelsea is a big team that can count on him. If he comes [back], he will be welcome. In football you can never rule out anything, any surprise can happen.’
Newcastle United and Manchester United could be other options for Felix, who have both previously registered an interest in the 23-year-old forward.
Felix has made 15 appearances for Chelsea, scoring two goals for the west London club.
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