Benfica are working towards signing Joao Felix with talks now ongoing with his agent as they continue their negotiations with Chelsea to secure the Portuguese forward this summer.
Felix’s agent Jorge Mendes is set to meet with Chelsea co-owner Behdad Eghbali to broker a deal for his return to Benfica. The Blues want to sort out Felix’s situation quickly, as he is not in manager Enzo Mareca’s plans.
The 25-year-old has struggled to find consistency in recent years, with underwhelming spells at Barcelona, Chelsea, and most recently AC Milan. He sees Benfica, where he first made his name, as the ideal environment to reignite his career.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Benfica are pushing for the deal to go through. The latest update from the transfer expert on his X handle reads:
“Benfica are actively trying to sign João Félix with talks now ongoing with his agent Mendes.
“Deal depends on Chelsea conditions but João will leave and negotiations expected to advance soon.
“Félix, keen on the comeback”.
Softfootball is reliably informed that Felix has agreed to reduce his annual salary to around €3m net, in line with Benfica’s highest earners like Nicolas Otamendi. Performance bonuses are also included in his contract. He played 21 matches and scored three goals last season, a figure seen as underwhelming for a player of his talent.
Chelsea are reportedly demanding £35m for Felix, a fee Benfica are unwilling to meet. The kind of money that Chelsea are asking for, no one is going to pay it. A club from Saudi Arabia could, but until they come to the table, Benfica do look like his only option.
Considering that, it makes complete sense for them to wait around and not pay their ex-player’s current price tag. Chelsea will be delighted to generate a sizeable fee for Felix at a time when he is arguably at the lowest point of his career.
Becoming the focal point of Benfica’s side next season also provides him with the ideal platform to revive a career that is on a downward trajectory.
