AC Milan make decision over permanent Joao Felix transfer deal with Chelsea

AC Milan have decided against making Joao Felix’s move permanent in the summer after the forward’s underwhelming start to life in Italy.

Felix completed a loan switch from Chelsea to Milan towards the end of the January transfer window in the hope of getting his stuttering career back on track.

The 25-year-old attacking midfielder had failed to win over Enzo Maresca at Stamford Bridge, making a total of just three starts in the Premier League in the first half of the season.

Felix went on to enjoy a dream debut with Milan, finding the net in the side’s 3-1 victory over Roma in the Coppa Italia just 24 hours after being unveiled by the Rossoneri.

But Felix has flattered to deceive in the intervening weeks and is still yet to register a single goal or assist in the Italian top flight under Sergio Conceicao.

The Portugal international also proved ineffective as Milan were dumped out of the Champions League at the round-of-16 stage at hands of Feyenoord.

La Gazzetta dello Sport write that it is perhaps ‘unfair to put too much responsibility’ on Felix since the player ‘found himself in an environment consumed by all kinds of problems’ at the San Siro.

It’s claimed Felix ‘cannot be classified as a flop’, though Milan had hoped more of an impact from a player of his talent and potential, regardless of his uninspiring start to the campaign in England with Chelsea.

However, the report adds that Milan’s hierarchy have come to the conclusion that the move is not working and Felix’s journey from London to Milan ‘will not be a one-way ticket’.

It remains uncertain what Chelsea have planned for Felix when the 2019 Golden Boy winner’s loan agreement with Milan comes to an end in June.

At his official Milan unveiling, Felix said he would be open to the possibility of remaining at the San Siro beyond the end of the 2024/25 campaign.

‘For now, I’m on loan until June. Let’s see how it goes. At the moment, I’m really enjoying everything: the club, the people, the facilities,’ he told reporters.

‘I’ve been welcomed very well. The most important thing is to be where I feel good, and I feel good here.

‘Then, in football, things can change, but if there’s a possibility to stay at Milan, I would like that.

‘I immediately loved the atmosphere at San Siro. I’ve experienced this kind of environment at Benfica and Atletico Madrid, but I must say the atmosphere here was different.

‘I didn’t expect such a welcome; you could really feel the fans’ affection. It was an incredible atmosphere, and I hope it continues like this.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Real Sociedad vs Man Utd: Europa League team news, predicted lineup and kick-off time

MORE: Alexander Isak injury update ahead of Newcastle’s clashes with West Ham and Liverpool

MORE: England boss Thomas Tuchel urged to recall former Man Utd and Arsenal striker