Benfica are reportedly “in talks” to re-sign Chelsea outcast Joao Felix during the upcoming summer transfer window.
The Portugal international sealed a permanent move to Stamford Bridge last August, however he was unable to usurp Cole Palmer for a starting berth under Enzo Maresca and he was forced to join AC Milan on loan in January.
The west London giants’ squad is set to be bolstered by the arrivals of Kendry Paez and Estevao Willian, while Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap is on the verge of completing a €35 million move to Stamford Bridge to provide further competition for places at the club.
Chelsea are also eager to provide Maresca with a new right-footed left winger amid concerns over whether to sign Jadon Sancho on a permanent deal, and Felix is therefore set to fall even further down the pecking order.
As a result, the Blues are determined to sell the 25-year-old this summer and Benfica have now joined the race for his signature, as per CaughtOffside.
Felix spent five years at Benfica before moving to Atletico Madrid for a club record fee of €127.2m in 2019 and a return to the club has been mooted as an option amid his struggles over the past few years.
Benfica are reportedly “in talks” over a loan deal for Felix, although Chelsea would prefer a permanent sale as they look to raise funds for their pursuit of additional attacking talent.
Joao Felix at Chelsea
Felix endured an ill-fated loan spell at Chelsea during the 2021-22 campaign, yet the Blues opted to sign him on a permanent deal last summer in order to ensure Conor Gallagher’s move to Atletico Madrid went through.
However, he only started three Premier League games in the first-half of the season and he was loaned out to AC Milan in January – where he has fared similarly poorly.
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