Joao Felix’s career as a Chelsea player might come to an end this summer after the Portuguese international was left out of Blues Club World Cup squad.
Felix spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at AC Milan after an unproductive first half with the Blues. Though he showed glimpse of his talents during his debut, the former Atletico Madrid playmaker failed to impress and has now been offered a chance to return to Benfica.
Benfica head coach Bruno Lage confirmed the club’s interest in re-signing Felix, but Lage warned that the financial conditions required to finalise the deal are the major obstacles.
Joao Felix failed to impress during his loan spell at AC Milan. (Photo by Jonathan Moscrop/Getty Images)
Lage stressed that any move depends on aligning mutual interest with affordability, whether the deal involves a loan or a partial transfer.
Bruno Lage said to reporters: “Joao has already spoken about this situation, all the players would like to return to Benfica. We have to create the opportunity and they have to show that they want to come to Benfica. We have to bring these two desires together. The financial aspect is very important. Joao left for years ago for €120 million and now there is a cost, whether it is a loan or a percentage of the transfer fee. On the other hand, there is the player’s salary. There is a lot of desire, but there is also the financial aspect, it is on both sides.”
Felix left Benfica for Atletico Madrid in 2019 for €120 million (£101m/$130m). However, he has failed to live up to the hype that saw Atletico break the bank for his signature.
The 25-year-old was not included in Enzo Maresca’s travelling squad to the United States for the Club World Cup, and his shirt number (14) has been given to the new signing Dario Essugo.
With just three goals in 21 appearances for Milan, Felix is on the lookout for a new club with Chelsea ready to move on from the Portuguese playmaker.
