Chelsea’s £45m player is attracting significant transfer interest this summer, and football super agent Jorge Mendes is involved in discussions to broker a deal.
Jorge Mendes, 59, represents some of football’s biggest stars, including some individuals at Chelsea.
While a lot of the focus at Stamford Bridge recently has been on incomings, the Blues are certainly pushing through plenty of exits as well. In fact, there are still several unwanted Chelsea players who need to find new clubs this summer because they are not part of the club’s plans moving forward.
Benfica pushing extremely hard to sign Joao Felix
According to respected journalist Fabrizio Romano, Portuguese giants Benfica are ‘going big’ on signing Chelsea attacker Joao Felix this summer.
Mendes, who represents Felix, is trying to secure the 25-year-old star a return to his former club.
Romano said via his YouTube channel: “What about Joao Felix? Benfica are going big. Benfica are working on a deal with Jorge Mendes, agent of the player, and with Chelsea.
“Now it depends on Chelsea’s exit conditions. Benfica want to try – they don’t have crazy money to spend. But still a good opportunity. They know the player is keen on a move back to Benfica, so Benfica are working on a deal to bring back Joao Felix.
“They are trying, and the relationship of Jorge Mendes with Chelsea and Benfica is excellent. Both clubs are working on this deal, trying to find a solution together because Joao Felix has to leave this summer.”
It’s been claimed that Chelsea are keen to sell Felix this summer, and he’s already turned down approaches from Porto and Flamengo because he’s determined to rejoin Benfica.
Benfica feel they may become Felix’s only option, so they are standing firm on not meeting Chelsea’s £35m asking price.
It cost the Blues £45m (BBC) to sign Felix from Atletico Madrid in August 2024. Now, it looks like they’ll have to take a sizeable loss on the versatile forward, who played at Chelsea in the first half of last season before being loaned out to AC Milan.
How Enzo Maresca convinced Joao Felix to join Chelsea
It’s extremely frustrating that Felix appears to be moving towards a Stamford Bridge exit so quickly. Even though he’s an extremely talented footballer, he’s struggling to settle at one club in the last few years.
Interestingly, Felix said Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca convinced him to join the club a year ago after a couple of conversations on the phone.
The attacker scored seven goals in 20 Chelsea appearances during the first half of last season, and we think he can suit Maresca’s system. However, it looks like a return to Benfica, where he started his first-team career, is in sight as negotiations between all parties continue.
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