Benfica in advanced talks to re-sign Chelsea outcast Joao Felix | OneFootball

Benfica have accelerated talks to facilitate the return of Chelsea forward Joao Felix this summer (h/t Record).

The prodigious Portuguese talent left Benfica to join Atletico Madrid in a record transfer in 2019, but has since failed to make his mark.

He has embarked on a nomadic stint at several clubs, including Chelsea, Barcelona and AC Milan.

The 25-year-old spent the second half of the 2024/25 season on loan at Milan in a bid to rejuvenate his declining career.

However, Felix’s short spell turned into a nightmare, coinciding with Milan’s horrendous season. Felix has returned to Stamford Bridge, where he is surplus to requirements.

Benfica want to provide Felix with an escape route, with president Rui Costa and manager Bruno Lage giving the green light for his return.

The Portuguese giants are pushing to sign Felix for the Club World Cup.

Chelsea paid £45 million for Felix last year, but may sell him for a lower fee due to their need to offload players to comply with financial rules.

Benfica are also exploring a loan move with a mandatory purchase option as an alternative if they fail to reach an agreement over a transfer fee with the Blues.

They recently parted ways with Angel Di Maria, and Felix could be the new face of their attack.

Felix was in sublime form for Benfica during the 2018/19 season, racking up 20 goals and 11 assists, but he has failed to recapture that level since then.