Chelsea could look to strike another loan deal with Atletico Madrid to bring Joao Felix back to the club.
That is according to Mundo Deportivo, who claim Chelsea are not prepared to meet Atletico's €100 million (£87 million) asking price and so another temporary switch is being contemplated. Felix made the loan switch to Stamford Bridge in January until the end of the season but no option to buy was agreed as part of the deal.
The Portugal international is therefore set to return to the Spanish capital at the end of the month with just four matches of the campaign remaining. While Felix has impressed at times during his five months in England, his inability to lock down a position has worked against him, particularly under Frank Lampard.
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He has been named as a substitute in each of the last five matches in all competitions, with Lampard opting against naming a number 10 and Felix not comfortable playing as an out and out striker. Chelsea have already agreed to bring in a player of Felix's mould ahead of the summer, with Red Bull Leipzig's Christopher Nkunku set to move to west London.
With that in mind, and Todd Boehly having already spent over £600 million in the last 12 months, Chelsea can ill afford to splash another huge fee on a player like Felix. As such, another loan deal could be the best solution for all parties, providing Felix with another year to really nail down a position at Stamford Bridge, and Chelsea with another strong attacking option.
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