Chelsea Open to Sale as Forward Eyes Reunion with Former Club | OneFootball

Chelsea and Benfica Continue Talks Over João Félix Deal

Mendes Steps In as Negotiations Continue

The transfer saga involving João Félix has taken another turn as Jorge Mendes attempts to find a compromise between Chelsea and Benfica. According to A Bola, Mendes is now directly involved and “will speak with Behdad Eghbali, one of the biggest investors in the consortium that bought the London club from Roman Abramovich.”

Chelsea’s interest in a swift resolution is clear. João Félix is not in new manager Enzo Maresca’s plans and, crucially, the club are looking to recoup a portion of their original investment. The Blues paid around €52 million to Atlético Madrid for the forward only last year, yet the short-lived spell at Stamford Bridge appears to be drawing to a quiet close.

Benfica, where Félix first rose to prominence, have emerged as the only viable destination at this point. The Portuguese side are pushing to secure a permanent deal, with a loan option ruled out early by Chelsea. The player’s return to Lisbon has long been seen as a natural fit, but financial details remain a major hurdle.

Photo: IMAGO

Sticking Point Over Valuation

The impasse lies in the fee. As A Bola report, “The West London club values the Portuguese international’s transfer at €40 million, but wants more than the €20 million Benfica intends to pay for 50 percent of his transfer. The Reds may even open their purse strings a little wider, but not much.”

From Chelsea’s side, the financial equation is straightforward. Having invested heavily in a player who failed to make a decisive impact, they are now attempting to avoid a complete loss. From Benfica’s perspective, the fee is excessive for a return that would only partially restore their former star.

A full sale, at a reduced value, would represent a clean exit for all parties. However, Chelsea’s desire to protect their financial model, especially after such a rapid turnover of players and managers in recent years, complicates matters.

Photo: IMAGO

João Félix Must Cut Salary Demands

Félix, for his part, is not blameless. He is reported to be earning a substantial wage, and A Bola confirm that “João Félix, on the other hand, will have to lower his salary considerably.”

A move back to Benfica would demand a shift in expectations for the 25-year-old forward. Despite flashes of talent during his time in England and Spain, consistency and adaptability remain question marks. Benfica may be a place where he can rediscover form, but it will not come with the salary package he once commanded.

The forward must now weigh ambition against financial compromise. If Mendes can convince all parties to settle on acceptable terms, this could yet be one of the more practical moves of the summer.

Chelsea’s Next Step

Enzo Maresca is looking to rebuild Chelsea with a tighter squad and clearer roles. Offloading players like Félix, who are not in his vision, is essential to realising that objective. For Chelsea’s ownership group, represented by figures like Eghbali, balancing the books while maintaining a competitive edge is central to their long-term ambitions.

Photo IMAGO

Whether this deal finalises soon or drags into the later stages of the window, it reflects the current market. Clubs are no longer overextending for potential. Proven return on investment is now the standard. And for Félix, that means demonstrating he can be more than a headline act.

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For Chelsea fans, the João Félix situation is symbolic of the club’s recent issues in the transfer market. Big names, big fees, minimal returns. Supporters had high hopes when Félix arrived, but aside from a few glimpses of class, he never truly fit the system or justified the investment.

Now, the idea of receiving €40 million seems unrealistic. Letting him go for half of that, even if it means a partial stake deal with Benfica, might feel frustrating, but it is the kind of decisive action fans want to see under Maresca. There’s no point holding onto players who don’t fit the plan.

The idea of him returning to Benfica feels right for the player, but Chelsea need to make sure they don’t repeat this pattern. The club must be smarter with future deals and insist on players who match the style, vision and long-term plans. Letting Félix go will sting, but hanging onto him would be worse.

The hope is that once this deal is done, Chelsea can focus on building with purpose. If that means cutting losses now to invest better later, most supporters will be on board.