The most expensive signing in Atlético de Madrid’s history, João Félix (bought in 2019 from Benfica for 127 million euros), travelled to London yesterday to sign for Chelsea for 50 million and another ten million in variables, thus ending his stormy relationship with the club, where he never had a fluid relationship with Simeone, who did not make him a starter due to his lack of commitment to the team’s collective football.
Simeone was unable to turn the situation around in recent years, and the club ended up getting rid of the Portuguese with two loans. The first, to Chelsea, in the winter transfer market of the 2022-23 season; the second, to FC Barcelona last season. Under the orders of Xavi Hernández, João Félix inspired with a good start, but his contribution to the team faded as the months went by and he ended up being a marginal player. In his season with the Blaugrana he played in 40 games, scored ten goals and gave six assists.
The Portuguese also did not succeed in his loan at Barça last season under Xavi
At 24, João Félix will sign a six-year contract with the Stamford Bridge club, where he already played in 16 games during his loan spell.
Despite the fact that the operation was the biggest financial fiasco in Atlético’s history (buy for 127 million, sell for 50), the club celebrated having been able to sell a player who had become more of a problem than a solution. João Félix’s time at the Metropolitano ended with 96 games and 25 goals, some of them beautifully crafted.
João Félix underwent a medical yesterday in London, the last detail that was missing after Enzo Maresca’s team agreed to increase their offer from 35 to 50 million. The official announcement is expected in the next few hours.
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The arrival of João Félix to Chelsea has as a counterpart the signing by Atlético of Conor Gallagher, a 24-year-old attacking midfielder who a few days ago was close to signing for Atlético, an operation that was cut short at the last minute because Chelsea stopped the signing of Samu Omorodion.
The Premier League is close to signing other La Liga players. In particular, Arsenal are well advanced in the process of signing Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino from Navarre. The Gunners are offering 35 million euros for the player. Real want something more. Arsenal are also interested in signing Espanyol goalkeeper Joan Garcia.
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