Chelsea's 'permanent move for Joao Felix at risk,' despite Todd Boehly interested in keeping Atletico Madrid star

Chelsea are reportedly at risk of a potential hijack over their permanent move for Joao Felix, despite Todd Boehly wanting to keep the Atletico Madrid loanee.

Felix left Atletico in the January transfer window and arrived at Chelsea, with the Blues paying a £9.7m fee to keep him on loan until the end of the season.

The 23-year-old Portuguese wonderkid, who is under contract with Atletico until 2027, has scored two times in 15 appearances for Chelsea this season.

Chelsea co-owner and chairman Boehly is believed to be an admirer of Felix and is keen for the Atletico star to make the switch to Stamford Bridge permanent.

According to reports, Chelsea are weighing up a potential second loan spell for Felix and are not keen to meet the La Liga club’s hefty £89m price tag for the player.

However, it has now emerged that Chelsea potentially face competition in the race to sign Felix from Premier League side Newcastle.

According to Cadena SER (via Diario AS), Newcastle are weighing up a potential hijack of Chelsea’s move for Felix after an impressive season under Eddie Howe.

Howe led Newcastle to the League Cup final in February against Manchester United, with the Red Devils ultimately coming out on top in a 2-0 win at Wembley.

However, the Magpies are continuing to push for a top-four Premier League finish this season and are three points clear of fifth-place Tottenham.

Newcastle could tempt Felix with a move to St James’ Park if they can successfully secure Champions League football next season.

Chelsea could struggle to offer Felix European football next season after failing in the race for the Premier League top-four and being knocked out of the Champions League.

The Blues are 11th in the league table and are unlikely to secure Europa League football either, with Chelsea also facing the possibility of missing out on a Conference League spot.

Newcastle could be ready to put up a fee for Felix that Chelsea are unwilling to pay, with the club capable of doing so after the Saudi Arabia-led takeover in 2021.

Speaking to AS in February, Felix revealed one of the reasons he left Atletico in January was because he was “looking for a change of scene for a while.”

“I had been looking for a change of scene for a while because it was difficult to get used to the way we played,” he said.

“I left because I had had enough of trying and not succeeding. I had to leave in January and I think it has been a good thing for Atletico and for me.”