‘The one player they should have an option on, they don’t have’: Gary Neville can’t believe Chelsea have NO buy clause in Joao Felix loan as he mocks their transfer policy after the Portuguese star’s brilliant consolation goal at Old Trafford
- Gary Neville is stunned when he learns about Joao Felix’s lease
- Felix is loaned to 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 lamented Chelsea’s failure to include a purchase option in Joao Felix’s loan deal at the club following Manchester United’s 4-1 win over the Blues on Thursday.
United secured Champions League football for next season as Chelsea dropped to 12th in the Premier League standings and face the reality of dropping further down their final game of the season.
Portuguese 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 outfit Atletico Madrid at the end of the season, once his short-term loan expires. £600 million in revenue in a year.
Neville was delighted with Felix’s quality, explaining on Sky Sports: ‘He [Felix] is a real player, only the way he moves with the ball looks different.
Joao Felix’s move to Chelsea does not include an option to make the deal permanent
Felix (blue) scored Chelsea’s only goal in their 4-1 defeat to Manchester United on Thursday
“He’s got so much control, class, real class, he’s got options in front of him but don’t think so, I’m going alone, really good finish.
‘She [Chelsea] have signed everyone except the one player they should have an option on which they don’t,” he added.
Felix is expected to look for another permanent transfer in the upcoming transfer window after falling out of favor in the Spanish capital.
The creative talent recently admitted that he has ‘enjoyed’ his time at Chelsea, but declined to confirm that 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) lamented Chelsea’s inability to secure a permanent option for Felix
Chelsea are unable to offer Champions League football and Felix reportedly considers playing in Europe’s elite league a priority.
He has been linked with numerous top clubs but hit back at rumors linking him with a possible move to Newcastle United.
Thursday’s goal 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 inability to secure a previous deal with Atletico could force them to pay more for Felix, with Diego Simeone’s side looking to reclaim most of the £113 million they paid for him in 2019 .