Chelsea have reached an agreement in principle to sign João Félix from Atlético Madrid, sources have told ESPN, in a move that should now see Conor Gallagher complete his transfer in the opposite direction.
Talks have intensified in recent days and Atletico need to move one player before finalising a deal with Gallagher, who has been training away from the first-team group at the Blues' Cobham base while awaiting news on his future.
The exact figure is unclear, but a source told ESPN that the final price for Felix could be around 50 million euros ($55.6 million), including add-ons. The Portuguese international was not included in Diego Simeone's squad for his opening La Liga game against Villarreal on Monday.
Following Atleti's 2-2 draw against Villarreal, Diego Simeone confirmed that Félix's absence was due to “the transfer market.”
“You'll soon know what they've already told me,” Simeone said with a laugh when asked about Félix.
Sources said Felix has agreed a six-year contract with the option of a further 12 months to return to the club where he spent six months on loan last year, scoring four goals in 20 appearances.
Gallagher is now expected to travel to Madrid to complete a £34 million ($44.3 million) transfer, having already agreed personal terms and completed a medical.
Felix would become Chelsea's 11th summer signing after Pedro Neto, Tosin Adarabioyo, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jörgensen, Omari Kellyman, Aaron Anselmino, Caleb Wiley, Renato Veiga and Marc Guiu, while Estevao Willian has reportedly agreed to join the Blues in 2025.
The 24-year-old's impending arrival will raise further questions over Raheem Sterling's status at the club after he was left out of Sunday's Premier League opening weekend defeat to Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Sterling's team issued a statement to ESPN insisting he had developed a positive relationship with head coach Enzo Maresca after taking part in all six pre-season games but wanted to “get clarity on the situation” following his omission.
The 29-year-old has also been left out of Chelsea's squad for Thursday's Europa Conference League play-off first leg against Servette.
Christopher Nkunku, Mykhailo Mudryk and Neto were included against City at the expense of Sterling.
