Chelsea ramp up squad clear-out with Joao Felix in talks over Benfica transfer

Chelsea are looking to shift a number of unwanted squad members before the start of the new season, according to the Evening Standard. Felix is one such player, having moved to Stamford Bridge permanently last summer before joining AC Milan on loan in January due to a lack of game time. He is now in talks over a return to former club Benfica with a reported price tag of £35 million (€40.3 million/$46.8 million), with the Blues not including him in their plans moving forward.

Chelsea also hope to cut ties with France international Nkunku, who had an injury-affected first season in west London before managing just three Premier League goals in 2024-25, with the majority of his opportunities coming in the Conference League. The attacker has been linked with a return to the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, while Serie A giants Inter are also supposedly interested.

Other players at risk of being cast aside this summer include Raheem Sterling, who had an uninspiring season on loan at rivals Arsenal, as well as Ben Chilwell, Renato Veiga, Axel Disasi, Carney Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu and Armando Broja. Chelsea could also be open to letting striker Jackson leave, with Manchester United said to be keeping an eye on his situation, though they are not trying to force the Senegal international out of Stamford Bridge.

Fresh off their Club World Cup triumph, Chelsea will be looking to make their presence felt in the Premier League title race and the Champions League next season. Enzo Maresca has already seen Liam Delap, Joao Pedro, Jamie Gittens and Estavao arrive this summer among other talented youngsters.