Chelsea transfer prediction made as secret Joao Felix talks revealed

João Felix has been tipped to leave Chelsea this summer. The 25-year-old winger faces an uncertain future at Stamford Bridge following a disappointing loan spell at AC Milan.

In an effort to play more first-team football, having failed to force himself into Enzo Maresca's side, Felix joined the Rossoneri in January. The Portuguese international made a great impression on his debut at the San Siro, scoring in a 3-1 win over Roma in the quarterfinals of the Coppa Italia.

Felix, who Chelsea signed from Atletico Madrid for £45m in August 2024, didn't find the net again for Milan until May. While he scored in each of his last two matches of the Serie A season, Milan finished eighth and failed to qualify for Europe.

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The Blues winger now looks set to leave Stamford Bridge, having lost his squad number to Dario Essugo. Felix was also omitted from Enzo Maresca's squad at the Club World Cup, with Pedro Neto preferred on the left.

Following Sunderland's 1-0 defeat to Sporting in a pre-season friendly at the Algarve Stadium on Monday night, Reinildo commented on Felix's future. The 31-year-old defender, who the newly-promoted Premier League outfit just signed from Atletico Madrid, played with the Chelsea ace in the Benfica academy and in the Spanish capital.

Speaking to Portuguese television channel TVI, as quoted by CNN, Reinildo said: "João, besides being a colleague, is my friend; we've spoken several times. Everyone knows João's quality and incredible talent, but things don't always go our way.

"The important thing is for him to keep working, never give up. He's a young player, still very young, and knowing João, he won't give up. João is a star."

Asked if Benfica could be the best option for Felix, Reinildo replied: I think so, since he left here. You might say he's regressing, but sometimes life is like that.

"It forces us to take two steps back, and then another forward, and being at one of the biggest clubs in Portugal, if not the biggest, which is Benfica, will do him a world of good."

Felix provided a brief update on his future earlier this month. Speaking to Correio da Manha, as quoted by Record, the forgotten Chelsea star said: "Everybody knows Benfica is the club of my heart.

"One day, I'll certainly return. I don't know if it's now or in the future. I have some ideas in my head - to stay in England or return to Benfica. My family is here.

"I feel like I need to be home and therefore, Benfica is one of the ideas in my head. Yes, Benfica is my home. One day I will return. I don't know if it's now or in a few years but if it happens now, I'll be happy."