Graham Potter eyes January loan deal for Portuguese sensation

Chelsea are interested in signing Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix on a season-long loan to bolster Graham Potter’s attack in the second half of the season.

Felix, 23, will be available at the right price when the transfer window opens next week, and Atletico Madrid is expecting a bid from Chelsea as they look to reclaim their place in the Champions League.

Potter’s January targets include a centre-back to compete for a first-team spot, but a winger is high on his list to support an attack that has scored just 17 Premier League goals this season.

Chelsea is considering a loan with an option or obligation to buy in the summer, depending on the terms Atletico Madrid wants for Felix’s departure after four seasons in Madrid following his £100 million move from Benfica.

After falling out of favor under Diego Simeone – he has only started one Champions League match since September – Atletico are unlikely to recoup the fee they paid in 2019, when Felix was also being pursued by other Premier League clubs.

While Chelsea’s rivals Arsenal have been keeping an eye on Felix, chairman Todd Boehly is said to be eager to strike a deal. With Kai Havertz in the mix to play as a central forward, Felix would compete as a left-sided forward who can also play on the right.

Despite being out of favour at his club, Félix started four games for Portugal at the World Cup and scored in their opening victory over Ghana, and his reputation remains high among clubs across Europe.

Potter is looking to add a centre-back to his squad in January and has set his sights on Monaco’s Benoit Badiashile, who is expected to cost more than £30 million.

Chelsea have long admired RB Leipzig’s Josko Gvardiol, but the Croatian centre-back is now being pursued by other European clubs.