Chelsea have agreed in principle to a fee for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, with Conor Gallagher moving in the opposite direction as part of the deal.
The financial details for the 24-year-old Portugal international remain undisclosed, but the arrangement will see Felix return to Stamford Bridge on a six-year contract with an option for an additional season. The move is contingent on a medical examination.
Felix’s transfer marks a return to Chelsea following a loan spell in 2023, during which he scored four goals in 20 appearances.
In exchange, England midfielder Gallagher is poised to finalize a five-year contract with Atletico Madrid. Gallagher had been training alone at Chelsea’s Cobham training ground while awaiting confirmation of the move, which had been delayed due to the collapse of Chelsea’s negotiations to sign striker Samu Omorodion. This delay had postponed Gallagher’s £33 million transfer to Madrid, as Atletico needed to generate funds through a significant first-team sale.
Felix's transfer to Chelsea facilitates Gallagher's move to Atletico Madrid, where he was recently photographed in anticipation of the transfer before returning to London last Tuesday due to the delay.
As the transfer deadline approaches on August 30, Chelsea will concentrate on player sales but continue to monitor Napoli striker Victor Osimhen. Napoli has made a second offer to sign Romelu Lukaku on loan with a £25.5 million obligation to buy, which is expected to be rejected as it does not meet Chelsea’s asking price of approximately £35 million.
