Chelsea forward Joao Felix wants permanent AC Milan move | OneFootball

Chelsea forward Joao Felix has opened the door to a permanent summer exit after securing a loan move to AC Milan in January.

The Portuguese forward, who was also linked with a move to Aston Villa, has struggled to establish himself in Enzo Maresca’s first-team squad.

Felix contributed seven goals and an assist in 20 games across all competitions before moving to Italy, with most of his contributions coming in the Europa Conference League.

He started just three of his 12 Premier League games and scored his only league goal in the 6-2 thrashing of Wolverhampton Wanderers during his debut.

Felix was sacrificed in favour of Christopher Nkunku, who has also struggled in the shadows of Blues talisman Cole Palmer.

Nkunku was linked with a move to Bayern Munich throughout the January transfer window, while Manchester United were also touted as a possible destination.

However, Maresca confirmed that Chelsea never planned to cut him loose in January, insisting the Frenchman will get more chances to prove himself in the second half of the season.

Chelsea didn’t negotiate a buy option in Felix’s loan move to Milan, with the 25-year-old still considered an important part of the club’s long-term plans.

However, Felix has admitted he’d love to join Milan permanently if the opportunity presents itself.

“For now I’m at Milan on loan until June – let’s see how it goes,” Felix said (via Alfredo Pedulla). “For the moment, I’m liking everything – the club, the people and the facilities.

“I’ve been welcomed, and the most important thing for me is to be where I feel good. For the moment, I feel very good here.

“Then in football things can always change, but if there was the possibility of staying at Milan, I would like it.”

Felix scored on his debut in the Coppa Italia quarter-final against AS Roma, helping Milan to a comprehensive 3-1 win.