SL Benfica will aim to re-sign Chelsea misfit Joao Felix in the summer transfer window, with the 25-year-old Portuguese international open to returning to his former club.

According to a report by Record, as relayed by Sport Witness, Joao Felix is the subject of interest from SL Benfica. The Primeira Liga giants are keen on reinforcing their squad before the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off and have set their sights on the Chelsea misfit. The 25-year-old attacker is ready to return to Estadio da Luz in the summer transfer window.

Joao Felix and his struggles

Joao Felix has struggled to live up to the hype since leaving SL Benfica nearly half a dozen years ago. While the highly-rated attacker showed flashes of brilliance during his spells with Atletico Madrid and Barcelona, he has blown hot and cold since returning to Chelsea in a deal worth €52 million last summer.

Enzo Maresca primarily handed him starts in the UEFA Europa Conference League and cup games. While the 25-year-old was decent in his limited opportunities, he has failed to make his mark since joining AC Milan on loan for the remainder of the 2024/25 season during the winter transfer window.

The Portuguese international has managed only one goal and one assist in 13 appearances in all competitions thus far for AC Milan. So, it is hardly surprising that the Chelsea misfit will unlikely seal a permanent move to the Serie A club in the summer transfer window. However, a return to SL Benfica might be on the cards for the struggling attacker.

Benfica return on the horizon?

SL Benfica’s interest in Joao Felix is understandable. The Primeira Liga giants are combing the market for a versatile attacker heading into the summer transfer window as they prepare to build a solid squad heading into the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

So, Felix has emerged as a viable target for SL Benfica, and the hypothesis of landing the former Atletico Madrid attacker is “gaining more and more strength”. However, they can only land the player on a loan deal, with Chelsea covering part of his wages.

Recent reports have also linked the 25-year-old Portuguese international with Galatasaray. With a permanent move to AC Milan not on the cards, Galatasaray and SL Benfica might be his possible destinations. Meanwhile, Chelsea will not stand in his way, although a permanent exit is unlikely.