Chelsea will likely have to sanction a senior exit if they are to sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid on a permanent transfer. The Blues looked set to wrap up a deal for Samu Omorodion over the weekend, only for the move to collapse late into the evening on Sunday.
Both Chelsea and Atletico showed no haste in finding a potential alternative, though, with Joao Felix quickly emerging as an option. The Portugal international spent the second half of the 2022/23 season on loan in west London before returning to Spain and enjoying another temporary spell away from Atletico, this time at Barcelona.
With Omorodion no longer joining, another attacking addition alongside Pedro Neto is very likely, but it may not just be Felix that signs on for the upcoming campaign. Talks have been held over the last few weeks for Victor Osimhen to join Chelsea on a season-long loan, with Romelu Lukaku heading the other way in a separate deal.
Considering the area of the pitch Felix would occupy in comparison to Omorodion, Chelsea could feel the need to sign Osimhen, especially as it continues to look unlikely he will be brought back into Napoli's squad. With that being said, the potential arrival of Felix could impact a number of players already at the club.
Cole Palmer and Neto are untouchable, while Mykhailo Mudryk is unlikely to have any suitors given how low his stock currently is. However, Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke could certainly be options to make way for Felix, with the latter linked to Newcastle.
Sterling has also received some interest, with Juventus making enquiries over a loan move for the England international. Maresca has used all three in pre-season, but how he has reacted to Sterling perhaps showcases the player he would be willing to sanction an exit for.
READ MORE: Chelsea transfer news LIVE - Romelu Lukaku 'bid', Joao Felix 'talks', Conor Gallagher confusion
READ MORE: Enzo Maresca shown Pedro Neto and Chelsea dream as Cole Palmer reality becomes perfectly clear
As per London World, Maresca was said to be constantly shouting at Sterling to calm down when on the ball as opposed to always looking to drive past his man. With Felix a master of ball retention and Sterling seeming to be quite erratic when in possession, it certainly drops a subtle hint that he could move on with Felix as his replacement.
Any club signing him on a permanent deal, given his significant wages, is unlikely. However, Juventus could help Chelsea by taking him on a temporary basis for the upcoming campaign before Maresca reassesses his options in 12 months.
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more