It’s not unusual in football to see a rising star fade from the spotlight—but few cases have been as high-profile as Joao Felix.
And now, it looks like the Portuguese forward might be heading back to where it all began, with his old club Benfica plotting a bargain move.
From Record Signing to Chelsea Misfit
Joao Felix arrived at Chelsea last summer with high hopes, in a permanent £42 million deal from Atletico Madrid.
That came after a promising loan spell at Stamford Bridge in 2023, where his flair and quick feet briefly excited fans.
But despite scoring in his second debut for the Blues, things quickly unravelled.
Felix lost his place in the squad, fell down the attacking pecking order, and was shipped out again—this time on loan to Serie A giants AC Milan for the second half of the season.
Maresca Closes the Door
With new manager Enzo Maresca taking charge at Chelsea, the writing seems to be on the wall for Felix.
Maresca hasn’t minced words—he’s stripped the 25-year-old of his squad number and completely left him out of the squad for the upcoming Club World Cup.
In other words, Felix is no longer part of the plan in west London.
Benfica Make Their Move—but for Cheap
According to reports from Portuguese outlet A Bola, Benfica are exploring the possibility of bringing their former academy talent back home.
Felix came up through the ranks at Benfica before making a then-blockbuster move to Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a staggering €126 million—a deal that still ranks as the fourth most expensive in football history.
But this time around, the numbers are much, much lower.
The Numbers Don’t Add Up—Yet
Benfica are reportedly only willing to pay €25 million (around £21.6 million) to re-sign Felix—a fraction of what Atletico once shelled out.
That would also mean Chelsea taking a heavy financial hit, considering the £42 million they just spent on him last summer.
His wages could also be a problem. Felix is still on a significant salary at Chelsea, which Benfica may struggle to match, even with the player’s ties to the club and potential willingness to return.
Jorge Mendes Steps In
Felix’s super-agent Jorge Mendes has already been in contact with Benfica officials, discussing a possible deal.
While there’s genuine interest from the Lisbon side, negotiations remain tricky, especially with Chelsea keen to recoup as much of their investment as possible.
What’s Next for Joao Felix?
So far, no deal is on the table—but the situation is developing.
Benfica would love to bring back their homegrown star, but it’s going to take some compromise from all parties: Chelsea may need to slash their asking price, Felix might have to accept lower wages, and Benfica will need to stretch what they can offer.
Still, it’s a possible lifeline for a player who, just a few years ago, was tipped to become one of the best in the world.
For now, Felix remains in limbo—caught between Chelsea’s rejection and Benfica’s hopeful return.