Chelsea will consider a late January deal
Chelsea are looking at possible solutions after frustrated forward Joao Felix asked to leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer deadline.
Blues fans were excited by the return of Felix after his brief but bright loan spell at the club in the second-half of the 2022-23 season.
Chelsea decided to sign the Portuguese playmaker on a permanent transfer last summer, agreeing a £45m deal with Atletico Madrid, who spent over £100m on Felix back in 2019.
Given he was one of Chelsea’s most expensive summer signings and put pen to paper on a seven-year deal with the Blues, it has been a surprise to see Felix struggle for game-time under Enzo Maresca.
The 25-year-old has started just three of Chelsea’s 23 Premier League games, playing back-up to the likes of Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, Pedro Neto and Jadon Sancho.
Felix has grown frustrated with his lack of minutes at Chelsea and, according to The Transfers Podcast, is pushing to leave the club before the January transfer window slams shut.
If he does not get his wish, Felix’s first-team prospects could get even more bleak as the club are looking into a late January deal for Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho.
Joao Felix has grown frustrated at Stamford Bridge
Aston Villa were in talks with Chelsea over a deal for Felix earlier in the week and Unai Emery, who targeted the player last summer, may see the Portugal international as a suitable – if not like-for-like – replacement for Jhon Duran.
Like Felix, Duran has struggled for regular minutes this season – playing back-up to England striker Ollie Watkins – and is now set for a big-money move to Saudi Arabia.
AC Milan have expressed interest in signing Felix but the Italians are also looking at Santiago Gimenez, the Feyenoord and Mexico forward.
Enzo Maresca is ready to sanction Felix’s departure
Big-spending Chelsea have endured a subdued January transfer window but could seal a number of outgoings before the Feburary 3 deadline.
Along with Felix, Axel Disasi has been linked with a move away from the club. Villa have expressed interest in the Chelsea defender.
Chelsea enjoyed an impressive first-half of the season under new boss Maresca, emerging as Liverpool’s biggest rivals for the Premier League title.
But their form has dropped off over the past month, resulting in Chelsea slipping to sixth in the Premier League, 13 points behind Arne Slot’s Liverpool.
Chelsea lost their third league game in six matches on Saturday as Manchester City came from a goal behind to beat Maresca’s side 3-1.
The Blues will be desperate to return to winning ways on Monday when they face former manager Graham Potter’s West Ham.
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