Clause which opens door to permanent Joao Felix transfer included in loan | OneFootball

Dermot Corrigan’s piece in The Athletic today is actually about Atletico Madrid, but there is a very, very interesting nugget in there for Chelsea fans.

The writer is discussing what looks to be the true end of an era at Atletico Madrid, as Diego Simeone’s long reign comes to an end. One of the examples given for why it seems that Simeone is on the way out is his relationship (or lack thereof) with Joao Felix, now on loan with us.

There’s some implication that the attacking midfield may just be getting out of the way for 6 months until his coach is gone, but there’s also a strong indication that Chelsea could buy him outright too.

We know from all the major writers covering the story that there is no set purchase fee – but Corrigan mentions a “clause in the deal opening the door to a permanent transfer.”

If it’s not a set fee, the only thing it can really be is a first option clause, allowing talks with Felix if we match any other accepted bid for him.