If Chelsea chooses not to pursue a long-term transfer for the forward, Enrique Cerezo, club president, says Atletico Madrid will be happy to have Joao Felix return.
Mid-season transfer action at Stamford Bridge included the loan signing of Joao Felix to Chelsea in January.
The Portuguese international, though, has only scored twice in 11 Premier League games to this far, and Frank Lampard has decided to keep him on the bench for Chelsea’s last two contests.
While Joao Felix endured a strained relationship with Atletico boss Diego Simeone before departing on loan, Los Colchoneros will find a place for him if he returns to the club next season.
Asked about the forward’s future, Cerezo told Cadena SER: “You can’t anticipate things, everything is yet to be seen. Chelsea are a big team that can count on him.
“If he comes back, he will be well received, if he returns. Nothing can ever be ruled out in football, you can’t take anything for granted.”
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Atletico are two points behind second-placed Real Madrid in LaLiga after winning six successive league games, but Cerezo does not believe their improved form can be attributed to Joao Felix’s exit.
“The circumstances of each team are different,” he said. “Joao was under a lot of pressure, he’s a star, but here he hasn’t had the luck to show it.
“He’s going to be a great player, and not in the very distant future.”