Chelsea forward Joao Felix has made a temporary switch to AC Milan, completing a loan move that will keep him at the Italian club until the end of the season. The deal, which includes a £5 million loan fee, was finalized ahead of Monday's transfer deadline for both Serie A and the Premier League.
The 25-year-old Portugal international's journey to this point has been anything but straightforward. Having signed a seven-year contract with Chelsea in August following a £45 million permanent transfer, Felix found himself in an unusual situation. The deal was part of a complex player exchange with Atletico Madrid, which saw Chelsea's academy graduate Conor Gallagher moving to Spain for £33 million.
The transfer saga became more intriguing when Chelsea's attempts to sign Atletico striker Samu Omorodion fell through, with the Felix deal appearing to serve as an alternative solution to help Atletico secure the necessary funds for Gallagher's transfer. Chelsea's motivation to sell Gallagher was partly driven by their desire to generate profit and avoid losing him on a free transfer in 2025, as he had entered his final year of contract.
Felix's time at Chelsea this season has been limited, with just three Premier League starts, though he has maintained a presence in cup competitions, contributing seven goals. His career trajectory has been notable, beginning at Benfica before making a landmark £113 million move to Atletico Madrid in July 2019 - at the time, the fifth-most expensive transfer in football history. Before his permanent move to Chelsea, he spent the 2023-24 season on loan at Barcelona.
The writing appeared to be on the wall for Felix's Chelsea future when he showed minimal enthusiasm celebrating his two goals against Morecambe in the FA Cup third round earlier this January. The Telegraph characterized him as "the man for the small occasions," noting his tendency to start mainly in lesser competitions under manager Enzo Maresca. His limited playing time has been attributed to Cole Palmer's dominance in the number 10 position and Christopher Nkunku's continued presence at the club.
At AC Milan, currently eighth in Serie A, Felix joins a team with immediate challenges ahead, including a Coppa Italia quarter-final against Roma and a crucial Champions League play-off against Feyenoord this month. This move marks his third loan spell in recent years, following previous temporary stints at Chelsea and Barcelona while registered as an Atletico Madrid player, as he continues his quest to fulfill the potential he first displayed at Benfica.
