Chelsea loanee Nathan set to extend stay at Atlético Mineiro — report

According to a report from Brazilian news outlet SuperFC, Chelsea attacking midfielder Nathan is set to extend his loan stint at Brazilian Série A club Atlético Mineiro.

This loan to Atlético had already been extended at the beginning of the calendar year, but it was set to expire (again) in four days. However the COVID-19 pandemic had taken away any chance of him continuing to impress at the club.

The report does not make it clear how long the new deal will last, but it will most likely cover the remainder of the season. Brazil’s football season normally ends in the winter, so presumably Nathan is set to stay at Atlético until at least the end of the year. His Chelsea contract, which was set to expire this summer as well, must have been extended as well, probably by an additional year to 2021.

Nathan, 24, has been at Atlético Mineiro since July 2018, arriving from Portuguese team Belenenses. Since then he has played 47 matches, becoming a regular figure in the team’s starting eleven last year.

A loan extension remains far from fulfilling Nathan’s wish to become a permanent player for cash-strapped Atlético and perhaps spend the rest of his career there. But at the same time, he will not have to return to England against his will either.