According to reports, Joao Felix, the discontented Atletico Madrid forward, has expressed his desire to join Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the upcoming summer transfer window. The young Portuguese player’s relationship with Atletico’s manager Diego Simeone deteriorated last year, leading to his loan move to Chelsea for the remainder of the season.
Felix’s arrival at Chelsea was intended to rejuvenate their struggling attack, but despite displaying moments of brilliance, he only managed to score four goals in 20 appearances. Towards the end of the season, under Frank Lampard’s management, Felix found it difficult to secure regular starts as Chelsea endured a disappointing 12th-placed finish in the Premier League.
Unfortunately for Felix, Mauricio Pochettino, the new manager at Chelsea, has decided that the player’s future lies elsewhere. With the recent arrivals of Christopher Nkunku and Nicolas Jackson, Felix’s chances of a permanent deal at Stamford Bridge have diminished. As a result, it is expected that Felix will be leaving Atletico Madrid this summer, and both Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have been rumored as potential destinations for the talented youngster ahead of the 2023-24 season.
However, it seems that Felix has set his sights on joining PSG. The newly appointed PSG head coach, Luis Enrique, has reportedly identified Felix as one of his top targets. According to AS, Felix is also keen on a transfer to the French capital. Atletico Madrid, on the other hand, will be looking to recoup a significant portion of the €127.2 million (£108.7 million) they paid for Felix four years ago. The report suggests that PSG will need to submit a bid of around €100 million (£85.5 million) to secure his services.
Unlike Barcelona, who are also admirers of Felix but are unable to pursue their interest due to financial constraints, PSG has the financial resources to facilitate the transfer. PSG recently bid farewell to Lionel Messi, who joined Inter Miami, and their pursuit of Felix will largely depend on the outcome of Kylian Mbappe’s future. The French champions are currently attempting to sell Mbappe after he refused to extend his contract. While Mbappe signed a new two-year deal last year with an option until 2025, there is a possibility that he could leave for free in less than a year, which PSG wants to avoid at all costs.
PSG President Nasser Al-Khelaifi has made it clear that Mbappe will not be allowed to leave without a substantial fee, but the options for a summer move for the Frenchman are limited. This situation further highlights the importance of securing a replacement like Joao Felix. Neymar’s future at PSG is also uncertain, but it is unlikely that the Brazilian star will leave the Parc des Princes during this transfer window.
PSG has already strengthened their attacking options with the acquisitions of Marco Asensio on a free transfer, as well as Milan Skriniar and Manuel Ugarte. If the club can successfully bring in Joao Felix, it would further solidify their attack and potentially mitigate the impact of losing Mbappe. However, it remains to be seen whether PSG and Atletico Madrid can reach an agreement on the transfer fee, and the outcome of Mbappe’s situation will undoubtedly have a significant influence on Felix’s potential move to the French giants.