Chelsea made a quick start to the summer transfer window by landing four signings prior to the Club World Cup, but Enzo Maresca’s side may need to be more patient for more new arrivals after an official update on another deal.
Joao Felix promises to be a problem figure at Stamford Bridge this summer after completing a €52 million switch from Atletico Madrid around 12 months ago.
The Portugal international failed to fire in the first half of the season and was no better after being moved to AC Milan on loan for the second part of the campaign.
Benfica go public with Joao Felix interest
Benfica president Rui Costa has expressed an interest in signing the former Barcelona star but he admits that finances of the deal would make it a difficult challenge for his club to complete.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Club World Cup, he said: “Every year I’m asked this question. Every year it’s discussed. You know how I work. If we can bring home players from our academy who have the quality to play for Benfica and with the stature that Joao has… we would all love that.
“But we have to understand two things. These players aren’t free to be signed. They have contracts and very high transfer values. In most cases when these transfers don’t happen, it’s because the financial demands are too high, and we must respect that.
If we can bring home players from our academy who have the quality to play for Benfica and with the stature that Joao has… we would all love that.
– Rui Costa on Joao Felix
“We always want to have great players.
“Joao is an excellent player, but from wanting him to actually bringing him to Benfica, there’s a big gap. I can’t say much more at this point. There’s no approach or movement that would make me think it’s possible.”
Since signing for Chelsea, Joao Felix’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) has plummeted from €50m to €25m, highlighting the challenge the Stamford Bridge side will have in finding him a new team.
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