June 2nd 2025.
According to reports, Joao Felix's time at Chelsea may be coming to an end as the Blues are in advanced talks to sell him less than a year after his £45m transfer from Atletico Madrid. It seemed like a promising move for both parties at the time, with England midfielder Conor Gallagher heading in the opposite direction for £33m. Chelsea had high hopes for Felix, signing him to a seven-year contract, believing he had the potential to become a Premier League star.
However, things did not go as planned for the young Portuguese forward. He struggled to get regular game-time under new manager Enzo Maresca, starting only three Premier League games before being sent out on loan to AC Milan in January. Although the loan deal did not include an obligation to buy, there was a possibility for Milan to make it permanent if Felix impressed during his time in Serie A.
Felix's loan spell at Milan was far from successful. He failed to win over manager Sergio Conceicao and received criticism from local fans and media. This led to AC Milan deciding not to sign him permanently, and it seems likely that a summer move away from Chelsea is on the cards. The abundance of talent at Stamford Bridge, coupled with Maresca's reservations about the player, make it clear that Felix's future lies elsewhere.
Reports suggest that Felix's former club Benfica is in advanced talks with Chelsea to bring him back to Portugal. Benfica's manager Bruno Lage has given the green light for the transfer, and the club's president Rui Costa is eager to see Felix return to where he first made a name for himself. In fact, there are even talks of completing the deal in time for Felix to participate in the upcoming Club World Cup, which begins on June 15.
Felix's first and only season in Benfica's first-team was a spectacular one, with him scoring 20 goals. This caught the attention of Atletico Madrid, who signed him for a staggering £113m in 2019, making him the fourth-most expensive player in history. However, his time at Atletico was underwhelming, and his spells at Chelsea, Barcelona, and Milan were similarly disappointing.
It seems that a return to his boyhood club is on the cards for Felix, as he is reportedly open to the move. Benfica finished second in the Portuguese top-flight last season, just two points behind champions Sporting Lisbon, and a reunion with his former club could be just what Felix needs to reignite his career. Only time will tell if this move will come to fruition, but it looks like Joao Felix's time at Chelsea is drawing to a close.
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