Chelsea are said to be hopeful of sealing an £88m deal to sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid on a permanent basis this summer.
Felix signed on loan for Chelsea in January after a frustrating spell in the Spanish capital and has bounced back from a red card on his debut to impress for the west Londoners.
The 23-year-old scored his first Premier League goal during the 1-1 draw at West Ham last weekend and Relevo are reporting that both Felix and Chelsea are open to extending his deal.
Atletico demanded a figure of around €130m (£114m) during negotiations last month, but the Spanish publication believe those demands could be lowered to around €100m (£88m) this summer.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that no purchase option was included in Felix’s loan move to Stamford Bridge, but Chelsea have always considered a permanent move a ‘serious option’ should the forward settle in English football.
“No buy option was included in [Felix’s loan] contract,” Romano said on his YouTube channel.
“This is important because it means he will be back to Atletico in the summer.
“But internally, Chelsea have always felt that if Felix is happy to stay, there will be a serious option to reach an agreement with Atletico.
“The first feeling is very good. He’s doing really well, and in training, Chelsea are very happy with his approach, his behaviour and are convinced that Felix is a fantastic signing.
“There is no buy option, but the relationship [between Chelsea and Atletico] is very good, and Felix himself will have to make a decision.
“If at the end of the season Felix decides he wants to stay at Chelsea, the club feel they can reach an agreement with Atletico for less than the €120-130million reported in January.”
Chelsea have already agreed a deal to sign RB Leipzig forward Christopher Nkunku, who will make the switch to Stamford Bridge in the summer, while Romelu Lukaku is due to return following his season-long loan at Inter Milan.
