Latest news with #JoaoFelix
Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Chelsea close to agreeing £45m transfer exit after putting 14 stars up for sale
Chelsea have reportedly entered negotiations over the sale of flop forward Joao Felix, just months after shelling out £45million to sign him. Felix has spent the past few months on loan with AC Milan and is set to become one of potentially 14 players who the Blues wave goodbye to in the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old forward has seen his reputation plummet over the 2024/25 season, with his image as one of Europe's most exciting young players fading fast. Chelsea signed him on a seven-year contract in August 2024 after he previously spent the second half of the 2022/23 season at Stamford Bridge. He struggled to make an impression on Enzo Maresca, starting just three Premier League matches, before being shipped out on loan to Milan in January. His third loan spell in two years failed to revive his career, with Milan just as unimpressed as Chelsea – but it appears an exit could still be agreed. Felix first emerged as a talent at Benfica, and the Portuguese club believe they could coax him back to his best. Record reports that Benfica are in advanced talks with Chelsea over a permanent transfer, with manager Bruno Lage and club president Rui Costa both on board with the plan. Things could move fast, with Chelsea keen to sell their flop and Benfica hoping to wrap things up in time for Felix to feature for them at the Club World Cup. The tournament begins in the United States on June 15, with Benfica's first match a day later against Boca Juniors. Felix has one thing on his side: his agent Jorge Mendes, who has a history of securing big-money moves for his client, despite his underwhelming performances. Mendes negotiated his £113m from Benfica to Atletico Madrid in 2019, as well as his move to Stamford Bridge last summer. Maresca is keen to reshape his bloated squad this summer, having inherited a mishmash of players last year. Felix is just one of a large number of players slated for departure, with fellow forwards Noni Madueke, Christopher Nkunku and Raheem Sterling all up for sale. HAVE YOUR SAY! Which areas most need improving at Chelsea? Comment below. Chelsea also want to overhaul their goalkeeping department, with Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic potentially leaving. Defenders Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Wesley Fofana and Trevoh Chalobah are all also deemed surplus to requirements, as are midfielders Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu. The Blues have wasted no time in getting the ball rolling on incoming deals, announcing the arrival of midfielder Dario Essugo from Sporting Lisbon, in a transfer believed to be worth around £18m. The deal for the 20-year-old Sporting academy graduate was agreed in March and has now gone through ahead of the Club World Cup, which Chelsea will also take part in. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Metro
2 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Chelsea open to selling 15 players including surprise £30m England star
Chelsea are reportedly open to selling 15 players this summer including a surprise England star who they feel hasn't lived up to the hype. The 2024/25 season has only just finished but Enzo Maresca is already hard at work preparing for the next campaign and upcoming Club World Cup. The Blues have already secured a new striker in the form of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town and now want a right-footed left winger. Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens and Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho are their top targets, while they could still make Jadon Sancho's loan from the Red Devils permanent. However, Chelsea also need to offload several unwanted stars, with The Guardian reporting that up to 15 players could leave Stamford Bridge before the start of next season. Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link we'll send you so we can get football news tailored to you. Djordje Petrovic, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi, Renato Veiga, Carney Chukwuemeka, Lesley Ugochukwu, Raheem Sterling and Joao Felix were all sent out on loan last season and have been transfer listed. Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall are also up for sale having struggled to make an impact in the Premier League, the latter hardly featuring despite following Maresca from Leicester City last summer. Trevoh Chalobah has impressed but his future is still in doubt while serious offers for Wesley Fofana will be considered given his terrible injury record. Robert Sanchez could also move on if a new goalkeeper arrives while Nicolas Jackson may leave if another striker is signed after Delap. But most shocking of all, it is said that Chelsea are open to offers for Noni Madueke, who moved to west London from PSV in January 2023 for £30m. Appearances: 32 Goals: 7 Minuters per Goal: 292 Assists: 4 Yellow cards: 3 The winger finished the campaign with 11 goals and five assists in all competitions, while only Cole Palmer and Jackson scored more than him in the Premier League. More Trending The 23-year-old also made his England debut last season and has been called up by Thomas Tuchel for this week's international fixtures. But The Guardian report that 'there is a feeling that Madueke's development has stalled', with the forward last finding the back of the net in the top-flight back in January. His goal tally wasn't quite good enough for Maresca, who said that he expected his wingers to be hitting double figures in the league. It is not known how much Chelsea would want for Madueke who is under contract until 2030. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Chelsea in advanced talks to sell Joao Felix just one year after £45m transfer MORE: Man City want Newcastle and Wolves stars in overhaul at full-back MORE: Thomas Frank odds-on favourite to become next Tottenham manager if Ange Postecoglou gets sacked
The Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Chelsea begin huge transfer firesale with FOURTEEN players up for sale including Madueke, Nkunku and forgotten £45m flop
CHELSEA are preparing for a huge summer of sales with up to FOURTEEN players facing the axe. The Blues finished in the top four - to qualify for the Champions League - while topping off the campaign by lifting the Conference League trophy. Although Enzo Maresca is braced to start next season with a new-look squad of fresh faces. Liam Delap is set to sign for £30million from Ipswich while wingers Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho are linked with a move to West London. But according to The Guardian, Chelsea are also looking to offload several unwanted stars in their squad. With a winger likely to arrive this summer, Noni Madueke - who scored 11 last season - is said to be on the market. Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix - who spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan - are other attackers up for sale. in 2023 and scored 14 goals last season - but only three in the league. He had underwhelming stints up front while also failing to find form out wide or in an attacking midfield role. Bayern Munich inquired about the Frenchman in January while Manchester United have also been linked in the past. Felix first joined Chelsea in 2023 on loan before later joining Barcelona only to move back to the Blues in a permanent £45m deal. But by February, he had fallen out of favour with Maresca and joined AC Milan on loan managing just three goals in 21 games. A move back to Benfica - where Felix first made his name - or Flamengo in Brazil are potential options for the forward. Goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic could also be sold if the right bid comes in. Petrovic signed in 2023 but spent last season on loan at Strasbourg while Sanchez has spent two seasons at Chelsea after joining from Brighton for £30m. Maresca has continued to back Sanchez despite shaky form - but recent reports say the Spaniard's future is up in the air. Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi are all due back from their respective loans but remain out of favour in defence. Meanwhile Wesley Fofana - signed for £70m from Leicester in 2022 - is also said to be at risk amid his injury struggles. Trevoh Chalobah was loaned out to Crystal Palace last summer after Chelsea failed to move him on permanently. Chalobah was later recalled in January and despite finishing the season in fine form, he could still be at risk of leaving. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu are midfielders with uncertain futures. Dewsbury-Hall arrived from Leicester for £30m this summer but has been reduced to mainly cup action in his debut season at Stamford Bridge. Chukwuemeka ended the campaign on loan at Borussia Dortmund while Ugochukwu is due to return after Southampton's relegation. And Raheem Sterling - who has two years left on his £325,000-a-week contract - has no future at Chelsea after a disappointing Arsenal loan spell. Sterling was frozen out by Maresca at the start of the season and scored just once for the Gunners - in the League Cup. 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
The Irish Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Chelsea begin huge transfer firesale with FOURTEEN players up for sale including Madueke, Nkunku and forgotten £45m flop
CHELSEA are preparing for a huge summer of sales with up to FOURTEEN players facing the axe. The Blues finished in the top four - to qualify for the Champions League - while topping off the campaign by Advertisement 9 Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix look set to leave Chelsea for good Credit: Getty Although Enzo Maresca is braced to start next season with a new-look squad of fresh faces. But according to With a winger likely to arrive this summer, Noni Madueke - who scored 11 last season - is said to be on the market. Advertisement READ MORE ON CHELSEA Christopher Nkunku and Joao Felix - who spent the second half of last season on loan at AC Milan - are other attackers up for sale. He had underwhelming stints up front while also failing to find form out wide or in an attacking midfield role. Bayern Munich inquired about the Frenchman in January while Advertisement Most read in Football CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Felix first joined Chelsea in 2023 on loan before later joining Barcelona only to move back to the Blues in a permanent £45m deal. But by February, he had fallen out of favour with Maresca and joined AC Milan on loan managing just three goals in 21 games. Chelsea finally discover Club World Cup opponents as former star, 38, assists dramatic winner to set up reunion A move back to Benfica - where Felix first made his name - or Flamengo in Brazil are potential options for the forward. Advertisement Goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic could also be sold if the right bid comes in. Petrovic signed in 2023 but spent last season on loan at Strasbourg while Sanchez has spent two seasons at Maresca has continued to back Sanchez despite shaky form - but recent reports say the Spaniard's future is up in the air. Renato Veiga, Ben Chilwell, Axel Disasi are all due back from their respective loans but remain out of favour in defence. Advertisement Meanwhile Wesley Fofana - signed for £70m from Leicester in 2022 - is also said to be at risk amid his injury struggles. Trevoh Chalobah was loaned out to Crystal Palace last summer after Chelsea failed to move him on permanently. Chalobah was later recalled in January and despite finishing the season in fine form, he could still be at risk of leaving. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Carney Chukwuemeka and Lesley Ugochukwu are midfielders with uncertain futures. Advertisement Dewsbury-Hall arrived from Leicester for £30m this summer but has been reduced to mainly cup action in his debut season at Stamford Bridge. Chukwuemeka ended the campaign on loan at Borussia Dortmund while Ugochukwu is due to return after Southampton's relegation. And Raheem Sterling - who has two years left on his £325,000-a-week contract - has no future at Chelsea after a disappointing Arsenal loan spell. Sterling was frozen out by Maresca at the start of the season and scored just once for the Gunners - in the League Cup. Advertisement 9 Noni Madueke and Trevoh Chalobah, pictured with Jadon Sancho, could be sold by Chelsea Credit: Getty 9 Goalkeepers Robert Sanchez and Djordje Petrovic could also be sold Credit: Getty 9 Renato Veiga and Ben Chilwell look set to be sold Credit: Getty 9 Axel Disasi was loaned out to Aston Villa Credit: Rex Advertisement 9 Wesley Fofana has struggled with injury issues Credit: Getty 9 Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's Chelsea future is at risk Credit: Rex 9 Carney Chukwuemeka was loaned out to Borussia Dortmund Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 9 Lesley Ugochukwu and Raheem Sterling both ended their seasons on loan Credit: PA Advertisement
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Report: Chelsea Misfit Edging Closer to Shock Return
Chelsea's Joao Felix Nearing Benfica Reunion? Chelsea's turbulent relationship with Joao Felix could finally be drawing to a close, as talks with Benfica for his return gather momentum, according to an exclusive report from CaughtOffside. Benfica Leading the Race Felix's return to Benfica is progressing, with the Portuguese side keen to secure a loan deal, despite Chelsea's preference for a permanent transfer. Sources told CaughtOffside that while this issue remains the key sticking point, both parties are eager for a resolution. Advertisement Chelsea's decision to loan Felix to AC Milan in January highlighted their dwindling faith in the Portuguese star, who struggled significantly during his second spell in West London. His inability to impact the Serie A further emphasised his career's stalled momentum. Joao Felix's Difficult Journey Once hailed as European football's next big star, Felix's career trajectory has taken several unexpected detours. Following his initial loan at Chelsea and a subsequent stint at Barcelona, Felix has struggled to replicate the scintillating form that earned him a record transfer from Benfica to Atletico Madrid. Felix's failure to make an impact this season has inevitably led to Chelsea seeking to cut their losses. With CaughtOffside revealing the player's preference to remain in Europe, Benfica emerges as his favoured destination. Competing Interest Chelsea aren't short of options for Felix, with interest reportedly coming from the Saudi Pro League and Brazilian giants Flamengo. Yet Felix's desire to remain in Europe has clearly put Benfica in the driving seat. Photo IMAGO Felix's attachment to Benfica, where he initially dazzled the footballing world, appears to offer him the best chance of reigniting his once-promising career. Returning to the familiar environment of Estádio da Luz could indeed prove transformative for the 25-year-old. Chelsea's Transfer Strategy For Chelsea, moving Felix on permanently would not only resolve a lingering squad issue but also bolster their finances to fund reinforcements. However, Benfica's reluctance to commit beyond a loan suggests Chelsea might have to compromise or seek alternative solutions. Advertisement Given Felix's current form, a permanent deal elsewhere seems increasingly difficult. A loan back to Benfica could, therefore, offer Chelsea a short-term solution and Felix the opportunity to rediscover his confidence and form. Our View – EPL Index Analysis Chelsea supporters, it's difficult to see Joao Felix's tenure at Stamford Bridge end this way. Initially, many fans, saw Felix as the creative spark they desperately needed. His arrival was greeted with excitement, anticipating he could inject flair and imagination into an often-stagnant attack. However, it simply hasn't clicked. Watching Felix struggle, both at Chelsea and during his time at AC Milan, has been frustrating. He clearly possesses talent but seems to lack the adaptability required in the Premier League. His second spell was an optimistic gamble by the club, one that hasn't paid off. While returning to Benfica feels somewhat anticlimactic for a player once touted as a future Ballon d'Or contender, it might just be what Felix needs. Perhaps the familiar surroundings and supportive environment of Benfica will reignite his career.
