The switch window is has develop into more and more inflated lately, with common top-flight gamers commanding large charges that golf equipment in Europe have been greater than prepared to match.
In essence, European giants have muddied the waters – their state-owned or hedge-funded megabucks only a drop within the water for eyewatering offers. Bargains or shrewd enterprise, it appears, is a factor of the previous. That’s, till now.
For Benfica, the switch window normally includes promoting their finest expertise and changing them with youthful, brighter stars. In recent times, the Portuguese giants have bought the likes of Goncalo Ramos, Enzo Fernandez, Darwin Nunez, Ruben Dias and Ederson, all for large sums, and the record, in all honesty, is fairly inexhaustable.
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One sale from the previous decade stands out above all others, although, and that’s Joao Felix. Bought to Atletico Madrid in 2019 as a 19-year-old for £113m – the fourth highest switch price in historical past on the time – Felix was tipped to develop into probably the greatest gamers in Europe, not least as a result of he had simply picked up the Golden Boy award, too.
Issues, nonetheless, have not precisely gone to plan for the Portuguese ahead since his big-money swap to the Spanish captial. Whereas he helped Atletico win La Liga in 2020/21, he has didn’t even hit double figures in a season in Spain’s prime flight.
A deterioration in his relationship with supervisor Diego Simeone then noticed Felix transfer to Chelsea on mortgage for the second half of the 2022/23 season, earlier than he spent the whole lot of the 2023/24 marketing campaign at Barcelona. He did signal a contract extension with Atletico to maintain him on the membership till 2029, although solely with a purpose to restructure his wages in order that they complied with Barcelona’s financs for the La Liga wage cap.
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Certainly, it appears Felix’s long-term future lies away from the Metropolitano Stadium, with Benfica set to benefit from scenario by bringing again the once-bright expertise for a only a fraction of what they bought him for.
In response to Spanish outlet Sport, Benfica have supplied Atletico £12.7m to re-sign Felix – just below 10 per cent of the unique switch price. The report does counsel that the Spanish aspect want to maintain out for round £21m for the 24-year-old, however with no different gives forthcoming this switch window and contemplating his non-existent relationship with Simeone, a deal may nonetheless be potential.
One key facet of the deal, nonetheless, is that Atletico would retain 50 per cent of the participant’s rights. This may imply they’re entitled to half of any price if Felix is bought sooner or later.
Whereas this appears unlikely, in FourFourTwo‘s opinion this could possibly be one of many biggest bits of enterprise ever concluded within the switch market. Felix is clearly nonetheless a really proficient participant who has loads of time on his aspect to regain his kind and develop right into a prime participant on the continent, which is not going to solely profit the participant but additionally the membership as effectively. If this involves fruition, we’ll be watching on with keen eyes at what the ahead may produce again in his homecountry.
Extra switch tales
Arsenal have bid for the star of the summer season – with ‘discount transfer’ beckoning: report
Manchester United ‘agree’ summer season deal for 22-year-old La Liga star: report
