In the midst of a bustling summer transfer window at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s Joao Felix appears poised to take a pay cut to facilitate a highly anticipated move back to Benfica. The talented forward, who joined the Blues for a notable €57 million in 2024, is reportedly eager to make his transfer dreams a reality, as sources suggest he has rebuffed advances from Porto and Flamengo in favour of a return to his former club.
Chelsea have been proactive this transfer season, already securing the signatures of Kendry Paez, Mamadou Sarr, Dario Essugo, Estevao, Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, and Jamie Gittens, amassing over £200 million in transfer fees. Despite these acquisitions, the club is actively seeking to offload players deemed surplus to requirements, with Felix firmly on the list of potential departees before the window closes.
Following a modest 20 appearances for Chelsea during the 2024/25 season and a subsequent loan stint at AC Milan, the Blues are keen to move Felix off their wage bill permanently. Caught Offside reports that Felix has expressed a willingness to reduce his wages to expedite a ‘dream transfer’ back to his roots at Benfica, though negotiations face a significant hurdle. Benfica’s offer potentially caps at €25 million, significantly less than Chelsea’s original outlay for the Portuguese star a year prior.
Bruno Lage, Benfica’s manager, has been vocal about Felix’s potential return, describing him as a “special player” and revealing ongoing discussions within the club’s hierarchy. Lage mentioned, “We’ve discussed Joao Felix ever since he left Benfica. He holds a special place in our hearts.”
Meanwhile, amidst discussions around Felix’s future, Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has attracted headlines with reports suggesting Paris Saint-Germain’s intent to mount an astonishing €250 million bid for the 23-year-old star. Despite PSG’s ambitious plans, Palmer remains content in London, displaying no intent to depart, though the Parisian club is reportedly waiting for an opportunity to pounce.
Stay tuned for further developments in Chelsea’s high-stakes transfer drama as the summer progresses.
READ FOR MORE FOOTBALL NEWS: