Chelsea loanee Joao Felix admits permanent transfer from Atletico Madrid will likely hinge on Champions League qualification

• Felix not sure about his future
• Insists he's happy at Chelsea
• Completed loan switch from Atletico in January

WHAT HAPPENED? Amid reports of Chelsea looking to make his transfer a permanent one when the summer window opens, Felix has played down all discussions of his future and insisted he doesn't yet know where it lies beyond the current campaign. Chelsea paid Atletico Madrid £11 million ($13m) to take the Portuguese forward on loan until the end of the season, and he has quickly settled in at Stamford Bridge - but any decision to extent his stay may well hinge on Champions League qualification.

WHAT THEY SAID: Quoted by The Telegraph, Felix gave an honest assessment of his desire to play in the Champions League, saying: "Yeah, playing in the Champions League is always different. It’s a competition that everyone wants to play."

He added: “But now I’m focused on this Champions League, on the game. We have a lot of games yet to try to reach the Champions League in the league. It’s not over.

"But, yeah, playing in the Champions League is an important decision, but the future no one knows, so let’s see what happens and then we’ll see.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE: Despite receiving a red card on his Chelsea debut against Fulham in January which saw him pick up a three-match suspension, the 23-year-old has impressed for the most part at his new club. Felix is thriving with greater attacking freedom and scored his first goal for the club on his first match back against West Ham.

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Premier League

31 Oct 2026

08:30

MUN

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LaLiga

31 Oct 2026

09:00

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Chelsea have been heavily linked with making the deal permanent despite not having an option to buy included in their current loan deal, and must also be aware of the fact they could miss out on Champions League football next season. A seriously poor run of form sees them languishing in 10th in the Premier League.

IN THREE PHOTOS:

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WHAT NEXT? Felix can further strengthen his position as a commodity come the summer if he fires Chelsea to a comeback victory against Borussia Dortmund in the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Tuesday night.