The name João Félix is likely to evoke familiar feelings among both Barcelona and Atlético Madrid fans.
The Portugal international has already experienced a lot in his career, despite not turning 26 until later this year, and it looks like he is facing another change of club this summer.
A lack of consistency and big questions about his attitude have marked Félix’s career in Portugal, Spain, England and Italy, where he has never been able to settle down and show off his best version.
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Most expensive signing in La Liga history
Los Rojiblancos paid the then-record sum of €126 million to bring him to Madrid in 2019, after an outstanding debut season at Benfica.
But his time in the Spanish capital was far from justifying the price tag, with only 25 league goals in three and a half seasons under Diego Simeone.
A controversial loan spell at Barcelona in 2023/24 did not convince the Catalans to sign him permanently, before a move to Chelsea last summer.
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Next stop for João Félix revealed as Chelsea departure nears
The move to Stamford Bridge was another disappointment for Félix, after Enzo Maresca was not convinced by him in the first part of the 2024/25 season.
He was loaned out to AC Milan at the start of 2025, but the Italian giants have no interest in bringing him back to the San Siro, and he faces a new choice.
La Liga clubs are wary of signing him after his troubles at both Madrid and Barcelona, and he is now considering a return to Benfica if a deal can be agreed.
“I know the coach [Bruno Lage] well and he was important for my career. It points me in that direction and I really want to go back to Benfica,” according to Mundo Deportivo.
His current contract runs until 2031, which could complicate a departure, and Chelsea will have to lower their target price of £20 million.
Félix’s final tally for Atlético Madrid ended at 34 goals in 131 games across all competitions, while he scored 10 goals in 44 games during his loan spell at Barcelona.
