Benfica make approach to sign £46m Chelsea star on loan for Club World Cup

Benfica are in talks to sign Chelsea forward Joao Felix on loan for the Club World Cup, according to reports in Portugal.

Felix returned to Chelsea in a £46.3 million deal from Atletico Madrid last August but the 25-year-old was unable to secure a regular role under Enzo Maresca and was allowed to join AC Milan on loan in the January transfer window.

The Portugal international has struggled to make an impact in Serie A and Milan look unlikely to make his move permanent this summer.

According to Record, Benfica are now pushing to sign Felix in early June in order for the forward to arrive in time for their Club World Cup campaign.

The report claims that Benfica have already made their approach to Felix and their head coach, Bruno Lage, has been playing an important role in attempting to convince the player to return to Portugal.

Benfica begin their Club World Cup campaign this summer with a tough game against Boca Juniors on June 16.

The Portuguese side then play Auckland City on June 20 before their final game in Group C against Bayern Munich on June 24.

Chelsea, meanwhile, are also in this year’s Club World Cup and were due to begin their campaign against Club Leon on June 16 before the Mexican side were kicked out of the tournament for failing to meet FIFA’s criteria on multi-club ownership.

Chelsea are also due to play Flamengo and ES Tunis in Group D.

When asked about Felix’s departure in February, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca made his feelings clear about the Portuguese forward.

‘I don’t think we miss Joao,’ Maresca said.

‘He’s happy there [Milan] and we’re happy that he’s happy.

‘Two injuries on the last day of the transfer window. It’s a tough one. Nico [Jackson] could be back soon. Sometimes I think we need to play a few games without certain players to realise their importance.’

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