Desperate Chelsea submit €11million bid to sign Joao Felix on loan from Atletico Madrid

have offered to pay a fee of €11million (£9.7m) in order to sign Joao Felix on loan until the end of the season, according to reports.

The Portugal international has been offered to a host of Premier League sides this month after falling out of favour with Atleti manager Diego Simeone, though his enormous asking price had deterred both and Arsenal from making a bid.

Atletico were initially hoping to receive a fee in the region of €15million (£13.3m) and also wanted Felix’s wages covered until the end of June, which amounted to another €6m (£5.3m).

Such exorbitant terms for a loan deal appeared to have put off most of the 23-year-old’s suitors, but now the claim Chelsea have caved in and offered something close to Atletico’s asking price.

The west London club are prepared to pay €11m (£9.7m) and cover his salary in full, though they also want to include an option to buy the forward as part of any deal.

Atletico have yet to accept the proposal and are holding off to see if any other offers materialise, while they are also conscious of the fact they could demand a higher price in the summer if he has a productive loan.

Chelsea have become rather desperate in the transfer market as they look to add more goals and firepower to their blunt attacking options.

The Blues were hammered 4-0 by Manchester City in the FA Cup on Sunday and only have one senior, fit striker available in the shape of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – who has only netted one Premier League goal all season.

Their issues have been exacerbated by an injury to Raheem Sterling, who requires a second scan on his hamstring after the first proved to be inconclusive.

Although Felix has struggled for form and goals at Atletico, there is a feeling that he does not suit Simeone’s more defensive football and could thrive elsewhere – particularly after some encouraging displays at the World Cup.

According to the Daily Record’s report, Felix has already told team-mates that he expects to move to England this month and feels a move away from Madrid is essential to getting his career back on track.

Atletico president Enrique Cerezo was asked about Felix’s future on Sunday and told Spanish radio show Carrusel Deportivo: ‘Nothing is impossible in life, but the normal thing is that Joao Felix stays at Atletico Madrid.’

However, he gave a woeful performance later in the day against Barcelona and Atletico are conscious of the fact they may be running out of time to cash in on a player who cost them £112m back in 2019 but has only netted 34 goals in 130 appearances.

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