Super-agent jets into London to force deadline-day move for Chelsea star

Super-agent Jorge Mendes has flown into London to secure Joao Felix a loan move from Chelsea to AC Milan before today’s January transfer deadline.

Felix rejoined Chelsea on a permanent basis from Atletico Madrid last summer, following an underwhelming loan spell in 2023, in a deal worth around £42million.

But once again, Felix has struggled to meet expectations and the 25-year-old’s future has been the subject of intense speculation this month, despite his second Chelsea stint only being in its infancy.

Aston Villa have been keeping close tabs on Felix’s situation and the club’s president of football operations, Monchi, confirmed their interest towards the end of last week.

But Unai Emery’s side last night unveiled the loan signing of Marcus Rashford and PSG forward Marco Asensio is expected to follow the Manchester United outcast to Villa Park in the coming hours.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Villa have dropped their pursuit of Felix as a result and the Portugal international now has his heart set on joining AC Milan on a temporary basis.

It’s claimed Felix is actively pushing for a ‘change of scenery’ away from Stamford Bridge and ‘wants to wear the shirt of Milan’, where he feels he could resurrect his stuttering career in the second half of the season.

The report claims football agent Mendes jetted from Turin to London on Sunday night to speak with Chelsea over a proposed loan move for Felix and Milan now represents ‘only possible destination’ for the attacking midfielder.

However, Felix’s wage demands may prove a sticking point, with Milan unwilling to cover the player’s entire salary over the next six months. The Blues, meanwhile, are insisting on a loan with an obligation to buy or a permanent sale.

Felix has made just three league starts under Enzo Maresca since returning to west London last summer, registering only one goal and an assist in the English top flight.

He has, though, caught the eye in Chelsea’s cup competitions, finding the back of the net four times in his five appearances in the Europa Conference League this term.

Facing the media last week, Maresca described Felix as a ‘fantastic player’ but admitted Cole Palmer’s prominence was proving a ‘problem’ for the Portuguese’s playing time.

‘The problem, unfortunately, for Joao and Christopher [Nkunku] is that the manager plays most of the games with one attacking midfielder and that is Cole Palmer,’ Maresca replied.

‘We have decided to play with an attacking midfielder in most of the games, so this is the reason why Joao and Christo struggle to get minutes – not for any different reasons because they are both fantastic players, fantastic guys who work well.

‘The reason why is only because most of the games I decide to play with one attacking midfielder in terms of balance. This is the reason why.’

Asked if this meant Felix would be allowed to leave, Maresca responded: ‘I am not saying that, I am not saying that.

‘I am saying that I like both but the reason why they struggle is because most of the time I play with one attacking midfielder.’

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