Atleti stays composed, weighing every possibility as it shapes the future of João Félix.
Chelsea continues to press in its bid to finalize the João Félix loan. All signs, from the most optimistic to the most cautious, point to the London club opening preliminary talks with Atlético Madrid in May to agree on a framework that could unfold in July when the loan spell at Stamford Bridge ends. As reported to GOAL, Atlético Madrid is aware that João Félix is comfortable in London and that Chelsea intends to sit down and negotiate a transfer. The reality is that Chelsea faces multiple fronts, a substantial financial gap, and the question of whether they will play in the next Champions League. These are significant variables. Reliable Atlético sources confirm to GOAL that there has been no contact between the clubs yet. No progress. No calls. Everything remains very open-ended three months from now, and for João Félix, the future is still undecided.
Atlético’s stance: if they want João Félix, the price tag is 100 million euros
Atlético Madrid remains quiet but resolute. João Félix has a current contract, and the final decision on his future rests with the mattress club. Since GOAL has already indicated, Atlético Madrid is demanding at least 100 million euros for the Portuguese talent to depart. In these months, Chelsea would be paying around 8 million euros for the loan through June, including 100% of Félix’s salary. The landscape could shift on July 1, when Félix’s loan at Chelsea ends. Then he would again be a Atlético Madrid player, under a contract running until 2027. Félix’s annual cost to Atlético sits around 18 million euros, and there would still be 36 million euros in amortization outstanding from the transfer. Atlético, therefore, is in no hurry. If Félix wants to return to rojiblanco, that works. If he wishes to stay in London, Chelsea would need to sit down to renegotiate, and Atlético would set the terms. If Félix prefers neither option, Jorge Mendes would explore a purchase with another club.
The summer could see a fresh loan arrangement at a lower cost. If Chelsea cannot meet the 100 million euro fee, the London club might pursue a temporary solution to keep Félix for another season. That would imply another loan agreement at Atlético, probably carrying a similar annual cost as today, around 18 million euros, and would be seen as a stopgap rather than a preferred long-term plan for either club. For Atlético, there is no urgency to rush. The situation remains fluid, and future negotiations will be shaped by Chelsea’s willingness to invest and Atlético’s price expectations. If Chelsea wishes Félix, the path would have to go through a substantial financial commitment consistent with Atlético’s valuation. The message is straightforward: if Chelsea wants João Félix, payment under Atlético’s terms is essential. The timing and conditions will be determined by the clubs and, ultimately, by Félix’s preferences and Mendes’ arrangements.
A possible alternative, a lower-cost route, has been discussed. If Chelsea cannot meet the 100 million euro asking price this summer, Chelsea would reportedly consider a continuation of the current loan under a renewed arrangement close to the present annual cost. That would be a pragmatic, temporary fix for both clubs, not the outcome any party dreams of, but a feasible contingency. In Atlético’s view, patience remains a virtue. The club is not rushing. If Chelsea intends to keep Félix, a significant price and terms may be required. And if Félix shows a preference for a change of scenery, the door could open to other options through Mendes’ network. It remains a simple equation: Chelsea must pay a fair price, and Atlético will hold firm on its valuation. The rest will unfold with time and clarity.
At the end of the day, the situation is inherently dynamic and subject to shifts in funding, competition placement, and Félix’s own desires. The clubs know this well: for a loan that crosses seasons, the calculus changes in July, and the player’s next chapter depends on a complex mix of finances, contracts, and personal fit with the teams involved.
Source: Goal