Joao Felix has fuelled speculation that he could join West Ham this summer by posting a cryptic message on social media. The 23-year-old forward has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League following his loan at Chelsea.
Felix featured 16 times for the Blues in the English top-flight, directly contributing towards four goals. The Portugal international impressed at times, but he struggled to get his feet under the table at disjointed club.
As exclusively revealed by football.london, neither an option nor obligation to sign Felix permanently was included in his contract at Stamford Bridge. Even if the west Londoners had inserted a clause to buy the forward, Pochettino didn't want him anyway, according to Atletico Madrid president Enrique Cerezo.
"We've been informed that Pochettino does not count with Joao Felix for Chelsea," said the Spaniard. "He will return here, we'll see. We have nothing planned."
football.london understands that Felix loved his time in London and he was eager to stay beyond the expiry of his loan. However, with Christopher Nkunku arriving, Chelsea have decided to not pursue a move for the Portuguese star.
While a return to west London may be off the cards, Felix has teased a switch to east London instead. On Instagram, he reposted a video of himself beginning his pre-season preparations while wearing a 2022/23 West Ham third shirt with Said Benrahma, 22, on the back.
Interestingly, the jersey was not worn against Chelsea last season with the Hammers donning the home strip in each of the clashes. Accompanying the post, Felix wrote: "@saidbenrahma11 *Algeria flag emoji* *handshake emoji*"
READ MORE: Chelsea news and transfers LIVE: Mason Mount number, Moises Caicedo bid, Levi Colwill to Liverpool
It remains to be seen whether West Ham are interested in signing Felix, but the video has certainly sparked conversation among fans. If the east Londoners are keen on a deal, Diego Simeone has insisted that financially attractive offer must be made.
Speaking to El Partidazo De COPE in early June, as quoted BirminghamLive, the Atletico boss said: "Joao is our player. If Chelsea don’t want to sign him as apparently Pochettino decided… he will be back here and he will be part of our team. I can work with him, I’ve no problem at all with Joao. He knows that."
Then, when asked if there's been any bids for Felix, Simeone replied: "Bids for Joao Felix? We have to see if the proposal will be good financially for the club, that is crucial."
