Chelsea set Joao Felix transfer demand

AC Milan are reportedly pushing to finalise a deal for Chelsea forward Joao Felix before the January transfer window closes.

The Italian giants have already completed the loan signing of Kyle Walker from Manchester City, but they are also eager to land both Felix and Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez by the end of Deadline Day.

Felix, 25, joined Chelsea on a permanent deal from Atletico Madrid for €52 million in August, however he has struggled for game time at Stamford Bridge, amid competition from Cole Palmer, and he has been heavily tipped to leave the club this winter.

READ MORE: Premier League January transfers 2025 – All the Done Deals

Aston Villa were interested in signing the Portugal international last week, but Unai Emery’s side have now pulled out of the race for his signature after agreeing a deal for Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford.

As a result, AC Milan appear to be the only contenders to sign Felix before Deadline Day ends.

The Rossoneri are “very interested” in landing Felix on loan, as per Gianluca Di Marzio, but Chelsea are reportedly only willing to sanction an exit if the 25-year-old is sold outright or if he departs on a loan deal with an obligation to buy.

The Blues could potentially relax their stance as Deadline Day draws ever closer, however Enzo Maresca’s side are currently insistent that Felix will not leave the club on a dry loan.

READ MORE: Chelsea receive sensational €30m bid for forgotten man

Joao Felix to leave Chelsea?

Felix has only racked up 363 minutes of action in the Premier League so far this season and he has been an unused substitute on eight occasions since he joined Chelsea on a permanent deal last summer.

The 25-year-old has been heavily used in Europe this term, scoring four goals in five Europa Conference League appearances, but he has been unable to displace the aforementioned Palmer in Chelsea’s preferred starting XI.

The Portugal international has five-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract at Stamford Bridge, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €43m.