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August 22, 2024
Joao Felix, a forward from Portugal, joins Chelsea in a £46.3 million deal from Atletico Madrid. The forward signs a seven-year contract, making Felix Chelsea’s tenth summer acquisition and increasing spending to over £200 million. Conor Gallagher, on the other hand, departs for Atletico Madrid in exchange for £36 million.
Joao Felix, who was previously with Atletico Madrid, has joined Chelsea for £46.3 million. In comparison, Conor Gallagher left for £36 million.
Felix joined the Blues on a seven-year contract at Stamford Bridge after the Portugal international agreed to pay a £42 million fixed fee plus an additional £4.3 million.
After spending six months on loan during the 2022–2023 season’s second half, when he scored four goals in 16 Premier League games, the 24-year-old is back at Chelsea on a permanent basis.
Felix played 44 games while on loan at Barcelona during the previous season, scoring 10 goals.
Felix said: “I’m really happy to be back at Chelsea, and I can’t wait to get started. I can see some familiar faces from the last time I was here, which is always nice.
“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.”
After Tosin Adarabioyo, Omari Kellyman, Marc Guiu, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Aaron Anselmino, Filip Jorgensen, and Pedro Neto, the former Benfica player becomes Chelsea’s tenth summer addition.
With Felix’s arrival, Chelsea’s summer spending has reached £202.6 million, making them the highest spending team in the Premier League.
However, the west London club’s spending may not be done just yet. It is believed that after the Felix deal is finalized, they will attempt to sign a new striker during this transfer window.
Victor Osimhen of Napoli has been a summer transfer target for Chelsea, but they are not currently willing to sign him long-term.
Gallagher makes a reverse move in a £36 million transaction.
Gallagher’s move to Atletico Madrid was made possible by Felix’s signing and made official on Wednesday morning.
After Chelsea’s attempt to sign Atletico Madrid striker Samuel Omorodion fell through,
Gallagher’s transfer appeared on hold; however, it was resurrected when the Blues decided to sign Felix.
Gallagher’s handling of the situation during his five days in Madrid impressed Atletico, who were even more determined to sign him because it strengthened their squad roster.
The club photographed the England international in the Wanda Metropolitano after he passed a medical and agreed to a five-year contract to join Atletico while in Madrid, but he had to return.
However, the 24-year-old has formally signed a contract with Atletico Madrid through 2029, making him an official player.
Gallagher posted a video message on Instagram with the caption, “To everyone at Chelsea, thank you for making my dreams come true.
“It’s been an absolute honour every time I put on the shirt, and it was a dream come true to captain the team on many occasions. I loved every moment. These memories will last forever.”
“I appreciate all the love and support from the fans. Hearing the chant of my name at the Bridge is a special feeling, and the banner you displayed meant the world to me. Thank you for everything.
“I wish the club all the best for the future, and I hope to see you all soon at Stamford Bridge!”
Maresca said of his departing midfielder: “It’s not only for Chelsea. Many clubs are selling players from their academies. It’s very sad.”
“In Italy we had Totti and he played with Roma for 20 years. We all loved that. But now the rules are a bit different, and sometimes you need to sell your academy players for 100% profit.”
“We need to try to respect the rules.”
Following yet another “chaotic” summer at Stamford Bridge, Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville detailed the “bizarre” issues that Chelsea has created for themselves.
Neville said: “One thing we do know is they have recruited badly. There are players they bought two years ago who they are already trying to get rid of. It feels chaotic and bizarre some of the contract lengths being given.”
“I ask the question quite regularly; what is it they know that the rest of football doesn’t know? Smart clubs like Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Arsenal, Man City – what do this group of owners know that the rest of football doesn’t?
Carragher said: “Chelsea have just got to stop buying players, and players have got to stop signing for Chelsea. If I was a player, I’d think ‘why I would sign?’.
“The only reason you would sign is because your agent might say, ‘we’re getting a seven-year deal on big money, that’s guaranteed money for seven years.
“You know what I would say? Back yourself, sign a four-year deal at a proper club. When you’re due for renewal, your money goes up anyway.”
“It’s not a young and exciting team. They’ve bought Joao Felix, where’s he going to play? They signed Pedro Neto a week ago, where’s he going to play when you’ve got Cole Palmer already?”
“You want to ask about where Joao Felix is going to play, I’ve got another question – where’s he going to get changed at the training ground?
“How are all these players in one dressing room? How are you putting on a training session?”
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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