Benfica could still get Felix if they get creative

Benfica have not given up on their pursuit of Joao Felix but the club will need to get creative if they are going to land their former Seixal academy player to the squad for the upcoming season.

The current stumbling block of any move the club is to make for Felix is his current annual salary which stands at around €9M per season, way over what the club could handle for a full season.

Benfica has been linked with both a loan move and permanent move of Felix during this off season, but with the player signed until the summer of 2031. It would make sense that the club go the route of a loan spell with Chelsea.

Chelsea is a club that could use a stronger back line and Benfica have two players that have already been linked to the London club in center backs Tomas Araujo and Antonio Silva.

Could Benfica get Felix on a full season loan, with almost all expenses paid if they are to move one of their young center backs to the London side? 

Benfica value both defenders at around €30M to €40M euros but could look at making a sweeter deal with Chelsea if they where to cover at least 75% of Felix's contract for the upcoming season.

If Benfica where to move either defender to Chelsea, they could make the move for €25M and have a Felix loan as part of the deal, if they really want to push the button, they can look at a two year loan spell for Felix with 75% of his salary covered.

Benfica have hope for a reunion with Felix this summer but unless there is a creative way to make the move, the club may be best suited to look elsewhere to bolster their squad this summer.