Ally McCoist SLAMS Chelsea’s decision to pay £9m loan fee to sign Joao Felix

Ally McCoist has slammed Chelsea’s upcoming signing of Joao Felix, calling the Blues’ decision to pay a £9million loan fee “absolute madness”.

Sportsmail reported yesterday how the Atletico Madrid striker is expected to make a temporary move to Graham Potter’s side for the remainder of the season – and they will also match his £5.3m wages during his time at Stamford Bridge.

The deal is expected to be finalized shortly as Felix was seen leaving Atletico Madrid’s training ground on Tuesday and his girlfriend was also pictured on a private jet en route to London.

Ally McCoist called Chelsea’s decision to pay Joao Felix a £9m loan fee “absolute madness”.

However, there is no option to make the move permanent as Marca report that Atletico want the forward to sign a one-year extension before sealing his move to Chelsea.

His current contract expires in 2026 but the Spanish giants want to extend it until 2027 to ‘reduce annual depreciation and balance their accounts’.

And McCoist, commenting on the transfer, couldn’t quite believe the numbers for what was only a short-term move.

“Firstly I have to say I can’t believe we are paying £10m on a loan now – absolutely insane,” McCoist told talkSPORT.

The pundit also insisted that the Portuguese striker is not the answer to Chelsea’s woes

Graham Potter’s side have been in dismal form and are 10th in the Premier League

“I like Joao Felix, I don’t think he’s the solution to Chelsea’s problems. They need a centre-forward and I don’t think he’s consistent enough.

“I watched him closely at the World Cup and thought he did some brilliant things.

“I thought he had a good game or two but he’s one of those players, to me he just makes you want a little bit more.”

The Blues acted quickly to land Felix – who had made it clear he wanted to leave Atletico – and fended off interest from Manchester United and Arsenal in signing the Portuguese striker.

United have reportedly turned down the loan fee demanded by the Spanish giants and have since focused on striker Wout Weghorst.

Felix was previously filmed leaving Atletico Madrid’s training ground as he was about to join Chelsea

Felix’s girlfriend also posted a photo of herself on a private jet heading to London with him

Arsenal are also looking for reinforcements up front but have also been put off by the price and have been in talks with Atletico to lower it.

Chelsea are keen to revive their attack as Graham Potter’s side have struggled in that department since taking over.

Chelsea have scored just three goals in their last seven games in all competitions, using Kai Havertz up front while Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has fallen out of favour.

They were also struggling with strike injuries and Raheem Sterling, Christian Pulisic and Aubameyang all missed out on Sunday’s 4-0 defeat by Manchester City.

Felix is ​​keen to move away from Atletico after falling out of favor with Diego Simeone

Felix has been inconsistent at Atletico this season, scoring just four goals and providing three assists in 14 LaLiga games.

In 2019, the 23-year-old joined the Spanish side from Benfica for £113million, which remains the fourth highest transfer fee in football history.

Felix is ​​expected to be the latest signing at Stamford Bridge, something Chelsea have already announced Signings of Benoit Badiashile – who cost £58m from Monaco – along with David Datro Fofana and Andrey Santos so far this window.

The Blues are also targeting Benfica’s Argentinian world champion Enzo Fernandes.