Chelsea are set to offload João Félix to AC Milan on loan before the January transfer deadline. The Blues initially signed the 25-year-old for £46.3 million last summer, committing him to a seven-year contract. Now, just six months later, he is on the verge of leaving Stamford Bridge once again.
AC Milan will reportedly pay Chelsea a £5 million loan fee and cover the Portugal international’s wages. The Italian club has shown consistent interest in Félix throughout the transfer window, and reports indicate he was spotted watching the Milan derby at San Siro last Sunday.
A Disappointing Spell at Chelsea
Félix’s time at Chelsea has been underwhelming. Since rejoining the club permanently from Atlético Madrid, he has struggled to make a significant impact, scoring just seven goals in 20 appearances.
This season, he has played 12 Premier League matches but accumulated only 363 minutes of game time. Despite being named in the starting XI three times, he has primarily been used as a substitute. His last appearance for Chelsea came on January 20, when he played just six minutes in a 3-1 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.
So far in the 2024/25 campaign, Félix has managed just one goal and one assist in the Premier League, while also picking up two yellow cards. His only goal came against Wolves in a 6-2 win on August 25.
Interest from Other Clubs
Aston Villa showed interest in signing Félix during the January transfer window, with their president of football operations, Monchi, publicly acknowledging Unai Emery’s admiration for the player. However, Villa ultimately opted to pursue Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio instead.
Now, a move abroad looks more likely for Félix, as AC Milan offers him the chance to revitalize his career with more consistent playing time.
Why Chelsea Loaned João Félix

Chelsea’s decision to loan out Félix stems from several key factors:
- Limited Playing Time – Félix struggled to secure a regular spot in Chelsea’s starting XI due to intense competition for attacking positions.
- Injury Problems – Persistent fitness issues affected his availability and overall effectiveness.
- AC Milan’s Interest – Milan’s strong desire to sign him provides an opportunity for more playing time and a fresh start.
- Squad Depth – Chelsea boasts a deep attacking lineup, making Félix’s departure less of a concern.
- Financial Considerations – Loaning Félix out helps Chelsea preserve his market value by ensuring he remains active and relevant in top-level football.
Additionally, maintaining a good relationship with AC Milan could facilitate future transfer dealings between the two clubs.
Félix’s Career Before Chelsea

Before returning to Chelsea in August 2024, Félix had a mixed spell at Barcelona, making 30 LaLiga appearances, scoring seven goals, and registering three assists. Prior to that, he spent time at Atlético Madrid, where he made 96 league appearances, scoring 25 goals and assisting 13 times.
His Premier League debut, however, was one to forget. On January 12, 2023, he received a red card in his first match for Chelsea against Fulham. Since then, he has played 28 times in the English top flight, managing just five goals and one assist.
What’s Next for Chelsea?
Chelsea will resume their Premier League campaign with an away fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion on February 14. Meanwhile, Félix will look to make the most of his loan move to AC Milan, hoping to reignite his career and justify his hefty price tag.
Discover more from LN247
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.