Joao Felix given Chelsea escape route as Benfica coach confirms 'desire' to bring Portugal star back but highlights major hurdles in transfer agreement

The Benfica head coach confirmed the club's interest in re-signing Felix, but Lage warned that the financial conditions required to finalise the deal are the major obstacles. Felix, currently out of Chelsea's plans for the Club World Cup, spent the second half of the 2024-25 season on loan at AC Milan after an unproductive first half with the Blues.

Felix left Benfica for Atletico Madrid in 2019 for €120 million (£101m/$130m). While a return to Lisbon remains a possibility, Lage stressed that any move depends on aligning mutual interest with affordability, whether the deal involves a loan or a partial transfer.

Felix's future at Chelsea looks increasingly uncertain. The 25-year-old was not included in Enzo Maresca's travelling squad to the United States for the Club World Cup, and his shirt number (14) has been given to the new signing Dario Essugo. Felix struggled for minutes at Stamford Bridge and made minimal impact in Italy, scoring just three goals in 21 appearances for Milan.

With no permanent deal from the Italian club and limited opportunities in London, Benfica have emerged as a realistic route, though only if financial terms can be agreed upon.

Bruno Lage said to reporters: "Joao has already spoken about this situation, all the players would like to return to Benfica. We have to create the opportunity and they have to show that they want to come to Benfica. We have to bring these two desires together. The financial aspect is very important. Joao left for years ago for €120 million and now there is a cost, whether it is a loan or a percentage of the transfer fee. On the other hand, there is the player's salary. There is a lot of desire, but there is also the financial aspect, it is on both sides."

Chelsea will continue to seek a permanent or loan exit for Felix during the summer transfer window. Benfica remain interested but must overcome the financial challenges involved in the deal. To guarantee his return, the Portuguese team would need either a low loan rate or a good profit-sharing structure.