^ ^ Chelsea make Joao Felix transfer decision amid January loan interest

Joao Felix is attracting interest from Europe (Picture: Getty)

Chelsea are not ready to sanction a loan exit for Joao Felix despite transfer interest from AC Milan in January, according to reports in Italy.

Joao Felix returned to Stamford Bridge for £45 million from Atletico Madrid in the summer having spent six months on loan at Chelsea in 2023.

However, the Portuguese international has found it hard to get regular minutes in Enzo Maresca’s side and has largely been seen as a backup to Cole Palmer in the number ten position.

The 25-year-old has six goals in cup competitions but has started just three games in the Premier League season.

That lack of regular game time has peaked the interest of some of Europe’s elite clubs in January as they look to tempt the versatile forward away from Chelsea on loan.

AC Milan have emerged as one such club interested but, according to Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio, Chelsea are not ready to let go of Joao Felix on loan this window.

In fact, the Blues are said to be keen to make attacking additions this month, with other reports suggesting that the club are exploring moves for Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho as well as Borussia Dortmund’s Jamie Gittens.

Enzo Maresca hasn’t often found space for Joao Felix in his Chelsea side (Picture: Getty)

Milan, meanwhile, have also expressed an interest in English duo Kyle Walker and Marcus Rashford, although the club will not be able to sign both players due to Italian transfer rules.

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Wolves on Monday, Maresca admitted he was keen to see the back of the January window.

‘Off the pitch, it (January) is a disaster because of so many noises that don’t help us but I don’t think they help any club,’ he said in his pre-match press conference.

‘It’s not just for us, it’s for every club and every manager.

‘In this moment, whenever there is any noise about any player, it is not easy because even if you think the player can be focused on us, but in the end he is a human being.

‘So if there is any noise about another club then he is probably not focused 100%. But we need to adapt because it is like this.’

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