Chelsea are reportedly considering a swap deal involving out-of-favour striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, defender Marc Cucurella, and on-loan Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix.
The Blues signed Felix on loan from the Spanish club in January and have seen enough of him that they want to sign him permanently.
However, their financial struggles mean that singing the 23-year-old might be impossible.
They are reportedly looking at a second loan agreement, at around £16 million ($20m), with Chelsea reluctant to meet Atletico’s £100m ($126m) asking price in any permanent arrangement. However, they are still hoping to find a way to reduce that figure.
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And now, according to Standard Sport via GOAL, they want to use some of their players as bait to sign Felix permanently. As per the report, Chelsea intends to use Aubameyang or Cucurella as makeweights in a move for the Portuguese international– with Diego Simeone’s side said to be interested in both.
Nothing has been agreed for now, but talks between the Premier League and La Liga heavyweights continue as we approach the summer transfer window.
Felix has made 17 appearances for Chelsea since coming in January. He has registered three goals and seems to have established an understanding with Enzo Fernandez.
The 23-year-old is said to be open to the idea of remaining in west London as he clearly does not figure in the long-term plans of Simeone at Atletico Madrid.
