Atletico Madrid have reportedly turned down Chelsea’s initial proposal to sign Portuguese forward Joao Felix.
The deal is said to have included a total package of €70 million, with the offer comprising €35 million upfront and an additional €35 million in an obligatory future purchase.
The negotiations come at a time when both clubs are scrambling for alternatives, following the collapse of Samu Omorodion’s €40 million move to Chelsea.
Reports indicate that Chelsea’s bid for Felix was structured to include a significant portion of the fee payable at a later date, but Atletico Madrid have dismissed the bid. Despite the high interest from Chelsea, Atletico have publicly denied receiving any formal offers for the player.
Agent Jorge Mendes is reportedly still in London mediating the talks, but there appears to be a substantial gap between the clubs’ valuations of Felix. Atletico Madrid, who have been keen to offload Felix due to his high wages and diminished form, are holding firm on their price expectations.
Felix, 24, remains one of Atletico’s highest-paid players with five years remaining on his contract. Despite his struggles in recent seasons, including limited playing time during loan spells at Chelsea and Barcelona, the Spanish club is not yet willing to lower their asking price.