Joao Felix's much-anticipated loan transfer to AC Milan from Chelsea has officially been completed, paving the way for the 25-year-old talent to make his mark in Serie A. The Portuguese forward, who struggled for playing time under Chelsea’s head coach Enzo Maresca, is poised to start this new chapter at the San Siro.
After several days of negotiations, AC Milan and Chelsea reached a breakthrough on the final day of the January transfer window. According to noted journalist Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea officially accepted the loan offer for Felix, which involves Milan covering the entirety of his salary for the six-month period. The financial package is reported to total over €5 million, including the loan fee.
Originally joining Chelsea from Atletico Madrid last summer for approximately £42 million, Felix has had a rollercoaster ride since his arrival. He initially spent five months on loan with the London club during the second half of the 2022/23 season and had hopes of establishing himself fully within the squad. Unfortunately, his aspirations have not materialized this season, as he found himself sidelined, competing for minutes against players like Jadon Sancho, Noni Madueke, and Pedro Neto.
Felix managed to contribute significantly during Chelsea's Conference League group stage campaign but has been largely overlooked during most of the current Premier League season, with just 20 appearances resulting in seven goals and two assists. This underutilization reportedly pushed Felix to seek out opportunities elsewhere, leading to his fervent desire for the move to AC Milan.
Reports indicate Felix was particularly excited about the prospect of working under coach Sergio Conceicao at Milan—a connection he hopes will reignite his career. AC Milan’s urgent need for attacking reinforcements, especially after acquiring another forward earlier on the transfer deadline day, has undoubtedly contributed to the urgency of this transfer.
Gianluca Di Marzio, another reliable football journalist, confirmed the agreement last weekend as negotiations accelerated. It was made clear during these discussions between clubs and during medical preparations for Felix, who is expected to undergo medical examinations as soon as possible to finalize the transfer.
Interestingly, Felix's move to AC Milan marks his fourth transfer within just 2.5 years, after stints with Atletico Madrid, Chelsea, and Barcelona. His time at Barcelona, where he was briefly integrated but soon sidelined, left many eager to see how Felix would perform going forward, especially after some promising initial performances.
Despite the ups and downs of his career so far, there’s no doubt Felix boasts undeniable talent and vision on the pitch. Currently at AC Milan, he will have new opportunities to showcase his skills against some of Europe's best. This loan deal is seen as mutually beneficial, enabling Chelsea to relieve their wage bill and allowing Felix to compete more regularly as the Serie A season continues.
With Chelsea also busy with roster adjustments, they've marked new loan moves for their players, freeing up Felix's spot for more overseas loans and transfers. The strategy reflects Chelsea's shifting priorities, offering their younger players more opportunities for growth elsewhere. Altogether, this transfer deadline day has proved fruitful for Chelsea as they continue to reshape their squad.
Felix's new beginnings at AC Milan seem promising, and fans will be watching closely to see if he can rediscover his potential and become the player many believe he can be. The challenge will be to adapt quickly to the tactical demands of Serie A and make impactful contributions as the Rossoneri chase their targets this season.