Chelsea have sounded out Atletico Madrid over ways to keep Joao Felix permanently, amid ongoing talks with managerial target Mauricio Pochettino.
The 51-year-old Argentinian will have a significant say over the team rebuild next season, but Blues staff want to present a clear picture of what is possible to their next manager.
After a series of calls, Atletico continue to demand £88million (€100m) for their 23-year-old forward, but are open to another loan deal, at a cost of about £16m.
Chelsea have also expressed their desire to reduce Felix’s asking price through swap deals, after learning that the Spanish side are interested in both Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Marc Cucurella.
Aubameyang signalled his intent to rejoin Barcelona this weekend, with AC Milan also keen on the 33-year-old.
Felix seemed to hint at wanting to stay at Chelsea by highlighting his shirt after scoring in the 3-1 win at Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Portugal international hopes to avoid a return to Madrid, where Diego Simeone is set to remain as manager after overcoming a brief spell of pressure earlier in the season.
Agent Jorge Mendes, who has significant influence in the transfer markets for both Chelsea and Atletico, will be heavily involved in trying to find a solution.
Felix, Aubameyang and, increasingly, Cucurella are just some of the Chelsea players facing uncertain futures.
The club hopes to appoint Pochettino soon and provide clarity for players, but will not rush what will be an extensive process, with Frank Lampard to remain caretaker manager for the last four matches.
Pochettino will, however, have a say over the slimming down of Chelsea’s unmanageable 32-man squad this summer. Chelsea have ideas about some of at least eight players they hope to sell, but the new manager’s arrival could alter the situations for some of the squad.
Mateo Kovacic, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Edouard Mendy, Hakim Ziyech, Conor Gallagher and Kalidou Koulibaly could all be sold, while Mason Mount has serious interest from Liverpool, with Arsenal, Newcastle and Manchester United also keen.
The Blues also have some pressure to sell, as they are on a UEFA Financial Fair Play watchlist after registering a £121m loss on their most recent accounts.
