Joao Felix close to ending Chelsea nightmare as £46m flop nears return to former club despite Blues' attempts to snare bigger transfer fee

Joao Felix is reportedly nearing a move to former side Benfica but Chelsea's efforts to recoup the £46 million they paid for him looks remote.

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WHAT HAPPENED?
Felix swapped Atletico Madrid for Chelsea for a fee around £46 million ($62m) last August, but the Portugal international has made it clear that he wants to leave the club. Now, Record claims that his old side Benfica hope to secure his services this week for approximately €20-25m (£17-21.5m), but A Bola states Chelsea are holding out for a higher offer.

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THE BIGGER PICTURE
The Portuguese publications add that Chelsea are likely to make a loss on the 25-year-old, who began his career at Benfica before joining Atletico in 2019, but how much it is remains to be seen. Either way, the Blues do want to move on the versatile attacker, who spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan.
DID YOU KNOW?
Felix - who can play as a centre-forward, a winger, an attacking midfielder, or a supporting striker - has played 40 times for Chelsea in two short stints for the club. In his loan spell in 2023, he scored four goals in 20 games, and in the first half of last season, the Portugal ace added seven goals and two assists in 20 appearances.

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WHAT NEXT?
Felix, whose contract at Stamford Bridge runs until 2031, will hope to secure a Chelsea transfer exit ahead of next season. The Portuguese is still seemingly searching for a club where he can truly thrive.

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