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- 1 hours ago
'Deal LIKELY' - Chelsea on the verge of Joao Felix sale
Tom Weber
- Updated: 26 Jul 2025 18:02 BST
- 4 min read
News
Chelsea and Benfica are advancing in talks over a transfer for Joao Felix, according to a report.
The Portugal international is on his way out of Stamford Bridge after just 12 months. Felix, who previously had a loan stint at Chelsea, re-joined the club permanently last summer in a strange €52 million deal.
The Blues were keen to raise 'pure profit' by offloading homegrown midfielder Conor Gallagher to avoid breaching financial rules, but they expected a player in return from Atletico Madrid, who themselves need to balance the books.
Current ETV
João Félix
F (L), M (C)
Chelsea
João Félix
F (L), M (C)
Chelsea
ETV Range
€22.9M - €28M
A move for striker Samu Aghehowa collapsed at the final hurdle, prompting Chelsea to shift their attention to Felix, a player they clearly did not actually need.
Unsurprisingly, his return to Chelsea hasn't been a happy one, with Felix spending the second half of last season out on loan at AC Milan after failing to consistently break into Enzo Maresca's side.
Felix to return to Benfica
The expectation now is that Felix will leave Chelsea again this summer, with the West London club determined to sell the 25-year-old. However, given the finances involved, discussions with suitors have been difficult.
Talks have primarily taken place with his formative club Benfica, and Felix has made no secret of his intention to return home. "I would be very happy about returning to Benfica," he said earlier this month.
"And that is probably where I am most inclined [to go]. I feel that I need to be at home, and that is why Benfica is one of the ideas that I have in mind."
It was recently claimed that Chelsea had accepted a €25 million bid for 50 per cent of Felix rights, but these claims were evidently premature. Nevertheless, this potential transfer appears to be advancing.
According to Sky Germany, it is 'likely' that Benfica will reach an agreement with Chelsea, with the player's camp described as 'optimistic' that he will be allowed to return to Lisbon.
Reports in Portugal have gone even further and suggested that Felix could already be involved in some capacity in Benfica's clash with Fenerbahce on Saturday night, but again, such assertions appear to be a bit overzealous.
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