Benfica open talks for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix with €15m offer | OneFootball

It had been assumed by many that Joao Felix would be returning to Barcelona next season sooner or later, with both club and player voicing a desire to do so. Felix does not want to head to Saudi Arabia, while Atletico Madrid are keen to move him on, but former club Benfica have emerged as surprise suitors.

According to Correio de Manha, via Sport, Benfica have opened talks with Atletico to sign the 24-year-old forward. They are looking to purchase 50% of his rights, and are hoping the sale of Antonio Silva, who is rumoured to be leaving for around €50m, will fund a deal.

Their proposal is to sign Felix for €15m, while Atletico are demanding €25m, bearing in mind they will obviously receive 50% of any future fee. With Felix earning a reported €8m per season, the Portuguese outlet also declare that it will require a feat of financial engineering to make the deal happen.

Felix was keen to return to Barcelona on loan, but has not closed the door to a move, knowing that Atletico are reluctant to loan him back to the Blaugrana on the terms that the Catalan side want. His agent Jorge Mendes had warned Barcelona Sporting Director Deco of Benfica’s interest during a meeting in Porto , and he is thought to be part of Hansi Flick’s plans next season, but the message has always been that it would be on the right terms.

Atletico and Benfica are keen to work out a deal, and it remains to be seen if Barcelona will respond, or if Felix will accept a return. While the fee is nowhere near what they would like for Felix, who cost €124m, it is certainly the best proposal they have had for him in some time. The hope was that Barcelona would manage to raise his value this season, but he looks set to be a rotational option again next season. The interest from Benfica would certainly be a way to pressure the Blaugrana into a better offer too.