Chelsea sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid on seven-year deal

LONDON – Chelsea officially signed Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix on a seven-year contract on Aug 21, with midfielder Conor Gallagher departing the other way to Spain.

No fee was revealed but the Blues are reported to have agreed a £46.3 million (S$78.9 million) deal, including add-ons, with the La Liga side to bring the 24-year-old back to Stamford Bridge.

Felix had a disappointing six-month loan spell at Chelsea in the second half of the 2022-23 season, scoring four goals in 20 appearances for the English Premier League team.

The Portugal international, who spent last term on loan at Barcelona, said that he is ready for what is to come in the season ahead.

“I’m really happy to be back at Chelsea and I can’t wait to get started,” he told the Blues’ website.

“It’s a chance for me to find a home. After two loans, Chelsea and Barca, I needed to stay permanently in one place.

“There’s no better place for me to be than Chelsea. I see a perfect place to shine.

“I loved my time here before and I told my friends and family that I’d love to return to the Premier League one day.

“To do that with Chelsea is a great feeling and I’m excited to be back.”

Atletico, meanwhile, signed England midfielder Gallagher on a five-year deal.

Gallagher, who had been at Chelsea since the age of six, has signed until 2029 with the Spanish outfit, who have paid €42 million (S$61 million) for the 24-year-old, according to media reports.

He spent the early part of his senior career on loan, including spells in the Premier League with West Bromwich Albion and Crystal Palace, and did not make his Chelsea debut until 2022.

Last season, he started 37 Premier League games, missing just one league match through suspension, and spent most of the campaign as club captain due to injuries to Reece James and Ben Chilwell.

The Blues, who lost their opening match of the Premier League season 2-0 to Manchester City on Aug 18, are reported to also have received an offer from Napoli for Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku.

Raheem Sterling’s future at Chelsea is also in doubt after new manager Enzo Maresca said the former England winger will “struggle to get minutes” with the team.

Over in Manchester, football insider Fabrizio Romano has revealed that former Germany international Ilkay Gundogan will make a stunning return to City from Barcelona after just one season – on a free transfer.

The 33-year-old midfielder, who announced his international retirement earlier this week, will rejoin Pep Guardiola’s champions on a contract valid until June 2025.

Gundogan won five Premier League titles and the Champions League in seven seasons with City before moving to Barcelona in 2023.

On Aug 21, his long-time national teammate and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, a 2014 World Cup winner, also announced his retirement at age 38 after 124 internationals. REUTERS, AFP