No white smoke. Benfica steps up the game with João Félix and sets a limit.

J oão Félix has already admitted that he is "inclined" to move to Benfica in the summer market, however, Chelsea does not seem to be very interested in accepting the offer put on the table by the Luz club, which is even willing to raise the stakes, although with limits.

According to this Saturday's printed edition of the newspaper A Bola, the board headed by Rui Costa will have tried to close the purchase of half of the Portuguese international's pass for around 20 million euros , a matter about which Jorge Mendes, the player's agent, revealed that it was a short proposal, from the blues' perspective.

Therefore, Benfica is now open to reaching 25 million euros , which is, from the outset, a limit imposed in the negotiations, especially given that João Félix's potential payroll already has a significant impact on Luz's coffers - potentially exceeding slightly more than 4 million euros gross per season .

João Félix and Benfica are eager to bring the Portuguese international back to Luz. Details of the negotiations with Chelsea will be crucial to whether the transfer is finalized or not.

Miguel Simões | 07:13 - 08/07/2025

According to the same publication, Jorge Mendes, who met with Rui Costa at Estádio da Luz last Thursday, will try to convince Behdad Eghbali, Iranian-American billionaire and current owner of Chelsea, in a 'soap opera' that will not be surprising if it drags on for several weeks of the current transfer window.

Attempt is nothing new

There are, therefore, details in the talks with Chelsea that will be crucial to the completion (or not) of the transfer, from the salary to the terms of the contract, and it is worth highlighting that Benfica's intention is to close the deal as quickly as possible, in time for the derby against Sporting , on July 31st, in the dispute of the Cândido de Oliveira Super Cup.

Last Sunday, after the funeral of Diogo Jota and André Silva , who lost their lives following a car accident in Spain in the early hours of last Thursday, João Félix was challenged to talk about his future, last Saturday, in statements to CMTV, when he admitted that he was "inclined" to go to Benfica, highlighting the power that Bruno Lage could have in his decision.

"With Bruno Lage as the coach, a manager I know and who was important to my career, he adds to my decision, and I'm very happy about returning to Benfica. And that's probably where I'm most inclined. Everyone knows Benfica is the club I love . One day I'll definitely return. I don't know if it's now or in the future. I have a few ideas in my head. Either stay in England or return to Benfica. My family is here. I feel like I need to be home, and that's why Benfica is one of the ideas on my mind," the forward admitted.

The Portuguese international took part in a private training session in Lisbon with fitness coach David Rosa, surprising everyone by wearing a Piast Gliwice jersey.

Miguel Simões | 10:20 PM - June 27, 2025

It should be remembered that, after a spell in the FC Porto youth academy , it was at Benfica that João Félix caught the eye the most, making his debut for the main team in 2018/19, with a record of 20 goals justifying the investment of 126 million euros by Atlético de Madrid .

Things didn't always go smoothly in Spain, and João Félix ended up being loaned to Chelsea and Barcelona , due to disagreements with Diego Simeone, and even leaving permanently for the English club. This was followed by a loan spell at AC Milan, under Sérgio Conceição, in the second half of last season.

João Félix's contract with the Blues is valid until June 2031 , and it is worth remembering that, in his last adventures, his future was practically always 'pushed' until the last days of the transfer market, something that Benfica will try to prevent, as far as possible.

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