Benfica ‘open talks to re-sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid for £12.7m’ – less than a TENTH of what they sold him for five years ago – but there is one major problem standing in their way

Benfica have reportedly opened talks with Atletico Madrid about a shock deal to take back Joao Felix five years after they sold him – for a slither of the price. 

Felix became the fourth-most expensive player in history in July 2019 when Benfica sold him to Atletico for £114million.

Five seasons, two loan spells, and one huge fall-out with Atletico boss Diego Simeone later, and Benfica want him back for a relatively piddling £12.7m. 

That’s according to Spanish outlet Sport, who report that Atletico are holding out for a fee above £21m. 

As part of the deal, Benfica would purchase 50 per cent of the player’s rights, meaning Atletico would be entitled to half of the future fee if they sell him on. 

The Portuguese giants sold Felix to Atletico in 2019 for £114m, the fourth-highest fee ever

Felix has struggled to leave a positive impression at Atletico and has been sent on loan twice

The prime issue for Benfica is his £6.7m per year salary, which would make him their third-highest earner after Angel Di Maria and Juan Bernat, according to Capology. 

Selling defender Antonio Silva, 20, would help. Manchester United, Chelsea, and Newcastle have all been linked with the centre-back, whose wayward pass led to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia’s opening goal in the 2-0 defeat by Georgia last week. 

Atletico would likely desire a higher fee considering the sum they forked out for him but it is the best proposal they have had for some time, Sport reports. 

Felix, no doubt an immense talent, has been marred by inconsistency and a quarrel with Simeone in his five years on Atletico’s books. 

In 2022-23 he went on an unfruitful loan to Chelsea and he was at Barcelona last season, where he eventually fared a bit better.

It was not always a smooth ride but Felix eventually ended up on 10 goals and six assists, a…