Chelsea hope to recoup £45m for unwanted forward | OneFootball

Chelsea are hoping to recoup £45m for Joao Felix as the forward looks to leave the club this summer.

Felix returned to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in a £45m deal last summer but struggled to make an impact in West London.

The Portugal international was limited to just three league starts before being loaned to AC Milan in the January transfer window. After an underwhelming spell in Italy, in which Felix scored just twice in 15 Serie A appearances, the forward is weighing up his options.

Portuguese outlet O Jogo have claimed that Benfica are prioritising the signing of their former academy graduate.

Felix burst onto the scene with Benfica in 2018/19, when he scored 20 goals in 43 appearances to fire the Portuguese side to the Primeira Liga title.

He joined Atletico Madrid in a £113m record-breaking deal that summer but has failed to live up to expectations since leaving Lisbon.

Benfica are now pushing to sign Felix and the 25-year-old is open to the move. Earlier this month, Felix told CM Journal that would be keen to return.

“Seeing Bruno Lage the coach, who I know and was important for my career, earns points in my decision over future and I see with good eyes returning to Benfica. And it is, maybe, where I am most incline.”

However, Chelsea’s asking price remains a sticking point. Chelsea want to recoup their investment from last summer, a fee that looks prohibitive to the deal.

Benfica are prepared to propose a deal to purchase 50% of Felix’s transfer rights for around €20m (£17.2m). Felix is willing to take a pay cut to facilitate the deal.

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