Chelsea star in talks to return to former club

Chelsea have once again been busy in the transfer market this summer, with plenty of incomings and outgoings at Stamford Bridge already. 

The Blues have already added Joao Pedro, Liam Delap and Jamie Gittens to Enzo Maresca’s attacking options, while midfielder Dario Essugo and defender Mamadou Sarr have also both arrived in West London.

Kepa Arrizabalaga and Noni Madueke are among those to have departed the club this summer, with the pair both joining London rivals Arsenal.

Now, it appears that another of Chelsea’s stars could be on his way out of Stamford Bridge.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Portuguese side Benfica are in talks to sign forward Joao Felix.

The Portugal international started his senior career with Benfica before joining Atletico Madrid in 2019 for a fee of £113 million – making him the fourth most expensive player in history at the time.

Felix is likely to leave Chelsea this summer (Photo: Mikolaj Barbanell/Alamy)

He struggled to recreate his best form while in the Spanish capital, and was sent on loan for spells with both Chelsea and Barcelona over the following few seasons.

Last summer the Blues signed the 25-year-old permanently, but he failed to establish himself as a certain starter in Maresca’s side during the first half of last season and was sent on loan to Italian giants AC Milan in January.

Romano claims that the player’s agent, Jorge Mendes, is currently in talks with Benfica in an effort to agree terms.

Felix himself is said to be keen on the idea of a return to his boyhood club, with negotiations expected to advance.

The Portugal international is currently under contract until the end of the 2030/31 season, but Romano suggests that he is set to leave Stamford Bridge before the current transfer window closes.