Newcastle United could well be encouraged by Joao Felix's last experience of Premier League football should they wish to try and lure him to St James' Park next season. The 23-year-old is being made available for loan once more and Newcastle has been earmarked as one possible destination by senior officials at Atletico Madrid.
Despite making the Portuguese talent their record signing following a £113m move from Benfica, his time in the Spanish capital looks to be coming to an end. A breakdown in his relationship with manager Diego Simeone is behind the decision to help him look for a new home.
As the Chronicle reported recently, Eddie Howe's men is regarded as one team who they feel could give him an option for the 2023-24 campaign. Champions League football will be a big draw that Howe can use as part of his negotiation skills should he wish to take up the option.
Having kicked off the last campaign with Atletico, he moved to England in January after sealing a loan switch to Chelsea. He was sent off on his debut and had to wait nearly a month to feature again.
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He would go on to feature 16 times and found the net on four occasions. He appeared to dismiss the chance to move to Newcastle United when linked with a summer move on Instagram, but one look at how much he enjoyed his time at Stamford Bridge would suggest he may be open to a return to the Premier League.
He said: "These four, five months, I loved it. The future? No one knows. We don’t know what will happen but I am happy here. Everyone at the club is so good so I am happy to be here."
Should Howe decide to push for a move, he is expected to face competition from other clubs, with Spurs and Aston Villa also seen as good destinations. Turkish giants Galatasaray are also believed to be interested in his services.