GdS: ‘A specific request from Conceicao’ – why Milan want versatile Chelsea forward | OneFootball

AC Milan have decided to go for Kyle Walker over Marcus Rashford, and that will also see their main forward target pivot as a result.

This morning’s edition of La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) is reporting that Walker is ‘one step away’ from joining the Rossoneri and he will ‘almost certainly’ arrive. They suggest that the formula will be a €1m loan with an option to buy set at €5m, rather than a permanent deal now.

What it means – given that Milan can only register one English player this window – is that Joao Felix’s stock is soaring. The Portuguese is a specific request from Sergio Conceiçao who knows him very well and would gladly include him in his attack.

The new Milan boss likes his versatility, given the Chelsea man can play as an attacking midfielder and as a left winger in a 4-2-3-1 formation, or as a second striker in a 4-4-2.

It was the former Porto coach who suggested Felix on Thursday during a meeting to speak about transfer strategy, and the directors are doing everything possible to satisfy the request.

Having understood that the Rashford affair would drag on because the Englishman hopes to join Barcelona and because Manchester United (for now) want 75% of his €13.5m net salary covered, the Diavolo have started working on Felix.

The forward is represented by Jorge Mendes, Conceiçao’s agent, which cannot harm things. Félix was initially at Porto’s youth academy, before moving to rivals Benfica in 2015.

This season with the Blues he has seven goals and two assists in 19 games, but has played a marginal role in the Premier League.