Chelsea transfer blow with ‘Real Madrid keeping tabs on Joao Felix in shock raid of rivals Atletico in summer’
CHELSEA face missing out on Joao Felix with Real Madrid keeping tabs on the forward, according to reports.
After serving a three-game suspension, Felix was back on the pitch for the Blues and had an instant impact.
The 23-year-old netted a cool opener against West Ham as he volleyed home Enzo Fernandez’s cross.
Felix impressed throughout the game despite the team ultimately failing to come away with three points.
And if his good performances are kept up for the rest of the season, Chelsea may pull the trigger to turn his loan move into a permanent one.
However, the Londoners have now been joined in the race to sign the £124million-rated forward by Real Madrid, according to Fichajes.
Los Blancos are fresh off the back of victory at the Club World Cup, beating Al-Halil 5-3 in a thrilling final.
But now they are lining up a long-term replacement for Karim Benzema, and have earmarked Felix as one such star.
Indeed, club president Florentino Perez is said to hold Felix in high esteem and is one of his favoured choices.
Felix’s future at parent club Atletico Madrid hinges on the fate of Diego Simeone.
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The under-fire Argentine had a strained relationship with Felix ahead of his loan transfer.
Following the 1-1 draw at West Ham, Felix issued a rallying cry for his team-mates, saying the club MUST win the Champions League.
Ahead of the midweek clash against Borussia Dortmund, Felix told Chelsea club media: “We have to focus on the next game. The most important game is next, always.
“It’s the Champions League, that’s the competition we want to win so it starts on Wednesday and it needs to be ours.”