Felix want 'cut-price Chelsea exit' as home club 'offer HALF of what Blues paid'

Benfica are reportedly preparing to launch a cut-price approach to sign Chelsea outcast Joao Felix.

Felix joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid in a deal worth £42million last summer, after previously enjoying a loan spell at Stamford Bridge in 2023.

Despite netting on his second debut for the Blues, the 25-year-old quickly fell down the pecking order in west London and ultimately spent the latter half of the campaign on loan in Serie A with AC Milan.

Enzo Maresca has since made clear his stance on Felix's future at the club, stripping the Portuguese of his squad number and leaving him out of Chelsea's squad for the Club World Cup.

Reports from Portugal claim Benfica are interested in offering Felix a way out of Stamford Bridge, but finances have complicated a prospective deal.

According to A Bola, Felix's agent, Jorge Mendes, met with Benfica chiefs regarding a potential return for Felix to his boyhood club.

However, despite the club's interest in bringing their academy graduate home, any move would see Chelsea be forced to take a significant financial loss to get him off the books.

Benfica are said to be willing to offer just €25million (£21.6m) to secure Felix's signature.

That figure is less than a quarter of the €126m Atletico paid Benfica to sign a then-teenage Felix in 2019.

That deal remains the fourth most expensive transfer in football history.

Felix's substantial wages in west London could also serve as a significant stumbling block in any potential deal between the two clubs.