Chelsea may reportedly receive a surprise offer for Joao Felix at the start of the summer transfer window.
When Felix returned to Stamford Bridge in a £46.3m deal in August, the expectation was that he would remained a key part of Enzo Maresca's squad.
Instead, the Portugal international was loaned out to AC Milan at the end of the winter market on the back of remaining as a peripheral figure for Premier League fixtures.
Despite the Italian giants possessing a buy-option for the summer, it quickly became clear that they would not be activating it due to Felix's poor form at San Siro.
In seven starts and seven substitute outings in Serie A and the Champions League, the 25-year-old has failed to contribute a single goal or assist.
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Switch to Brazil a possibility?
Felix is now essentially in limbo ahead of 2025-26, Chelsea having minimal chance of attracting a suitable permanent offer for his signature.
According to Sky Sports News, a short-term proposal may arrive from Brazil with Flamengo said to be monitoring the situation.
The report suggests that a loan switch to the Brasileiro outfit could be facilitated in time for the Club World Cup, which commences in June.
That said, any move would be made more complex with Chelsea having been drawn to face Flamengo in the group stages of the competition.
As it stands, it is unclear whether Felix is open to making the switch to South America at this stage of his career, regardless of whether he would be presented with regular football.
Flamengo sit in third position in the Brazilian top-flight table, as well as sitting in third in their Copa Libertadores group. Progression in that competition or demotion to the Copa Sudamericana looks likely and would provide Felix with further hopes of silverware.
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What will Chelsea's stance be?
With Felix on a contract until 2031, Chelsea's best opportunities of ensuring no loss is made from a amortisation standpoint will come through loan proposals.
Receiving a loan fee between £5m and £7m for next season is not unrealistic, yet the player is likely to prefer finding a new permanent home given that he has already spent three temporary spells at different clubs throughout his career.
Being reintegrated back into Maresca's squad appears unrealistic at this stage considering that he has had minimal impact at Milan.
Darren Plant
