Overview
- Chelsea have formally placed João Félix on the summer transfer list with a £43m asking price to recoup the bulk of the £45m fee they paid last summer.
- Manager Enzo Maresca has declared Félix surplus to requirements and handed his No.14 shirt to academy graduate Dario Essugo.
- Félix’s second-half campaign on loan at AC Milan ended with only three goals in 21 appearances and drew widespread criticism from Italian media.
- Benfica, the leading prospective suitor with player and club both keen on a reunion, have balked at Chelsea’s valuation, stalling any deal.
- The sale forms part of Maresca’s broader squad overhaul strategy focused on performance-based selection and youth promotion.