At the start of Joao Felix’s loan move from Chelsea to AC Milan in January, it seemed like the Blues might regret letting him go. Felix made an impressive debut for Milan, even scoring a goal, and the club seemed thrilled with his arrival. There were reports suggesting Milan was eager to make his loan permanent when the summer transfer window opened, and Felix was also reportedly interested in the move after a difficult first half of the season back at Chelsea.
However, things have since taken a turn. Felix’s performances have not met expectations, with Italian media even describing him as “a ghost” after a lackluster showing. AC Milan’s most recent match saw Felix start on the bench, and Chelsea legend Pedro scored the match-winning goal in added time, further adding to Milan’s frustration.
Now, it seems AC Milan will not be pursuing a permanent deal for Felix. According to Fabrizio Romano, although the financial side of the deal is not an issue, Milan has been unimpressed by Felix’s performances. Romano stated: “We remember what Zlatan Ibrahimovic said at the beginning of February, but many things are about to change at Milan. The feeling inside the club is that continuing with Joao Felix will be complicated. It’s not about finances; it’s because his first 40 days at Milan have been challenging, not just for him but for other players as well. The situation is far from what they expected.”
Romano further added that Milan is no longer planning to negotiate with Chelsea for Felix. While Chelsea may still have one more opportunity to make a deal with Milan, it may involve Rafael Leao. The Blues have shown interest in signing the talented winger, and although Milan has been reluctant to sell him in the past, things could change in 2025. Leao may no longer be seen as untouchable, and Chelsea could make a compelling offer. This could potentially lead to a swap deal, with Felix moving in the opposite direction, but it all depends on how Milan’s new leadership plans to shape the future of the club.
