Chelsea: Joao Felix closing in on AC Milan loan move but Christopher Nkunku set to stay | OneFootball

Nkunku will effectively become back-up No10 to Cole Palmer as well as being back-up No9

AC Milan are closing in on a deal to sign Joao Felix on loan from Chelsea.

Felix will not be in the Chelsea squad for their Premier League game against West Ham on Monday night.

While Felix looks set to exit Chelsea, uncertainty over Christopher Nkunku’s future is set to rumble on into the summer.

Nkunku has the subject of interest from both Bayern Munich and Manchester United this month

Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Nkunku is not expected to leave before tonight’s transfer deadline and, with Felix going, the Frenchman will effectively be the back-up No10 to Cole Palmer as well as the back-up No9.

Nkunku has been frustrated by his role as Nicolas Jackson’s understudy this season and was the subject of interest from both Bayern Munich and Manchester United this month.

The 27-year-old has scored 13 goals in 29 appearances under Enzo Maresca, but the vast majority of his contributions have come either in cup competitions or off the bench in the Premier League.

The former RB Leipzig forward has made only three league starts all season and his last league goal came in a 5-1 thrashing of Southampton in early December.

Chelsea were ready to listen to serious offers for Nkunku this month, but suitors have been reluctant to meet their valuation of around £65million.

With Chelsea’s Conference League campaign set to resume next month and the Club World Cup to come in the summer, Nkunku is expected to continue as an important squad player for Maresca, unless there is a dramatic twist in the final hours of the window.