‘The only player they should have an option on that they don’t’: Gary Neville can’t believe Chelsea DON’T have a buy clause in Joao Felix’s loan deal as he stands mocks their transfer policy after Portuguese star’s brilliant consolation goal at Old Trafford
- Gary Neville is amazed after finding out about Joao Felix’s loan deal
- Felix is on loan at Chelsea but the deal does not include a purchase option
- The Portuguese talent will return to Atletico Madrid at the end of the season
Gary Neville has balked at Chelsea’s failure to include an option to buy in Joao Felix’s loan deal to the club following Manchester United’s 4-1 win over the Blues on Thursday.
United have secured Champions League football for next season, while Chelsea have slipped to 12th in the Premier League table and face the reality of falling further down the table in their final game of the Premier League. season.
Portugal playmaker Felix scored a late consolation goal for the visitors at Old Trafford after coming off the bench for Frank Lampard’s side in the second half.
The 23-year-old will return to LaLiga side Atletico Madrid at the end of the season once his short-term loan deal expires, and Neville was surprised the London side didn’t include any permanents in his deal , although it splashed. £600 million in revenue in the space of a year.
Neville praised the quality of Felix, explaining on Sky Sports: “He [Felix] is a good player, just the way he moves with the ball seems different.
Joao Felix’s Chelsea loan doesn’t include an option to make the deal permanent
Felix (blue) scored Chelsea’s only goal in their 4-1 loss to Man United on Thursday
“He is so in control, class, real class, he has options in front of him but thinks not, I will go there alone, very good finish.
‘They [Chelsea] have signed everyone but the one player they should have an option on that they don’t have,” he added.
Felix is expected to seek a new permanent transfer in the next transfer window after falling out of favor in the Spanish capital.
The creative talent recently admitted he had “enjoyed” his time at Chelsea but refused to confirm he would return to the club in the future.
Felix will return to his parent club Atletico Madrid at the end of the season
Gary Neville (pictured) wavered over Chelsea’s inability to secure a permanent option for Felix
Chelsea are unable to offer Champions League football and Felix would consider playing in Europe’s elite competition a priority.
He has been linked with a host of top clubs but has hit back at rumors linking him with a possible move to Newcastle United.
Thursday’s strike was his fourth goal of the season for Chelsea where he was one of the few bright sparks in an otherwise terrible campaign for the Blues.
Chelsea’s failure to agree an earlier deal with Atletico could see them overpay Felix, with Diego Simeone’s side looking to recoup the majority of the £113million they paid for him in 2019.
