Chelsea flop Joao Felix announces next transfer

Chelsea outcast Joao Felix has officially announced his intention to return to Benfica this summer.

The Portugal international is on the fringes of the Chelsea squad, just a year after joining in a whopping €52 million deal. Felix failed to break into Enzo Maresca’s ‘A Team’ last term and spent the second half of the season on loan at AC Milan.

He also flattered to deceive in Serie A and the Rossoneri, unsurprisingly did not return for negotiations over an extension of his loan or a permanent deal. Felix was subsequently omitted from Chelsea’s Club World Cup squad and is now looking to get out of Stamford Bridge.

The 25-year-old has fielded interest from promoted Saudi side NEOM SC, but the most persistent speculation has involved his formative club Benfica, where he burst onto the scene before sealing a €127.2m move to Atletico Madrid in 2019.

Benfica president Rui Costa recently confirmed that he would ‘love’ to re-sign the Chelsea flop but also conceded that the finances involved could prove too great for the Lisbon giants. However, Felix seems to be ready to push for a return to his old stomping ground.

Felix: I need to be at home

Speaking to Correio de Manha about his future, Felix has now publicly announced his intention to move back to Benfica this summer, insisting that he needs to feel ‘at home’ to get back to his best.

“With Bruno Lage being the coach, who I know and who was important for my career, he influences my decision, and I would be very happy about returning to Benfica.

“And that is probably where I am most inclined [to go]. I feel that I need to be at home, and that is why Benfica is one of the ideas that I have in mind.”

According to A Bola, Benfica would be willing to pay up to €30 million to sign Felix this summer, which would make him their third-most-expensive arrival after Enzo Fernandez (€44.25m) and Darwin Nunez (€34m). However, it is thought that his salary would still prove a major issue.

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