European Club Eyes Budget-Friendly Deal for Chelsea’s Joao Felix as His Former Club Prepares to Offer Half His Transfer Fee

Benfica is reportedly planning a low-cost bid to bring Joao Felix back to the Portuguese club. Felix, who joined Chelsea last summer from Atletico Madrid for £42 million, initially showed promise but quickly lost his place and was loaned out to AC Milan in Serie A.

The 25-year-old forward had a shaky start at Stamford Bridge, despite scoring on his second appearance, and soon fell out of favor under manager Enzo Maresca, who stripped him of his squad number and excluded him from the team for the Club World Cup.

Current reports suggest Benfica is interested in re-signing Felix, with discussions allegedly led by his agent Jorge Mendes. However, negotiations face hurdles due to financial concerns. Benfica is said to be prepared to offer around €25 million (£21.6 million), a figure significantly lower than the €126 million Atletico Madrid paid Benfica for Felix in 2019—a record-breaking transfer fee.

Felix’s high wages at Chelsea also present a challenge for any potential deal. Although Benfica is eager to bring their former academy star home, any transfer would likely require Chelsea to accept a substantial financial loss. Despite the interest, the discrepancy in valuation could mean Felix remains at Chelsea for the foreseeable future.

Felix began his senior career at Benfica, helping the club secure a league title before transferring to Atletico Madrid in 2019. His stint at Chelsea was marked by inconsistent performances, leading to a loan move that has complicated his future at Stamford Bridge.