Chelsea are nearing closure on a deal to sign Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, which may see Conor Gallagher leave for Spain and further restrict Raheem Sterling’s role at the club. Over the weekend, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid held talks to conclude the transfers of Felix to Stamford Bridge and Gallagher to Madrid. Felix has reportedly signed a six-year contract.
These discussions have been beneficial, and Gallagher is set to complete his €40 million transfer to Atletico in the next days. The England midfielder returned to London last week after the deal was initially obstructed.
Felix’s transfer to Chelsea will provide the Portuguese international another opportunity to distinguish himself in the Premier League, following his half-season loan at Stamford Bridge in 2023 saw him make 16 appearances and score four goals.
The impending arrival of Felix, should the transfer is completed as expected, would put additional pressure on Sterling, who was left out of Chelsea’s squad for the season’s first match against Manchester City. Sterling is seeking clarification regarding his future at the club and intends to speak with Chelsea executives in the coming days, particularly after head coach Enzo Maresca refused to guarantee his place in the team beyond this transfer window.
Sterling’s management published a statement on Sunday reaffirming the 29-year-old’s commitment to performing at the highest level for Chelsea, emphasizing that he still has three years left on his deal.
Chelsea’s pursuit of Felix, age 24, This has been taken as a clear indicator that the club no longer views Sterling a crucial player. However, it continues to be seen whether Sterling, one of the Premier League’s best earners at roughly £300,000 per week, would draw serious attention from rival clubs this summer. According to reports in Italy, Juventus may be discovering a transfer.
