Chelsea loaned out Joao Felix to AC Milan during the winter transfer window, but he was heavily linked with Premier League rivals Aston Villa in the New Year.
Joao Felix, 25, re-signed for Chelsea last summer on a permanent basis. Even though he scored seven goals in 20 games across all competitions during the first half of the season, he couldn’t nail down a regular starting position with the Blues.
The Portuguese attacker moved to the San Siro on a short-term loan in the winter, but he’s scored just once in 10 appearances for Milan.
Felix is expected to return to Chelsea in the summer because Milan don’t want to sign him permanently.
There is a risk that Felix could be stuck in Enzo Maresca’s squad, especially as his contract at Stamford Bridge doesn’t expire until 2031.
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images
Aston Villa interested in signing Joao Felix again
Back in the 2025 January transfer window, Chelsea and Aston Villa discussed Felix as negotiations took place over a potential move to the Midlands. Instead, a move to Villa Park never materialised despite plenty of speculation, and he joined Milan on loan for the rest of the season.
Now, TEAMtalk claims this week that Villa are still interested in signing Felix.
Apparently, Chelsea would prefer to sell the on-loan forward in the summer when he returns from Milan.
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The report adds that Villa are keen on potentially buying Felix, someone that their manager Unai Emery does rate, but wages would be one obstacle to overcome.
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images
Aston Villa fans react to Joao Felix rumours
A selection of Villa supporters on social media all agree that they should stay clear of Felix in the summer.
One fan wrote: “100% overrated – he’s found wanting wherever he plays.”
“That boats sailed,”another posted.
One supporter claimed: “He doesn’t want to come to Villa… and we don’t want him.”
“No, thank you. You can keep him he had his chance to join the villa, and he turned us down more fool him,” another said.
It’s quite evident that Villa fans don’t want to sign Felix after missing out on him earlier this year, so it’ll be an interesting story to watch develop.
Emery’s side did end up signing Marco Asensio instead on loan from Paris Saint-Germain this season. Remarkably, the left-footed attacker has scored seven goals in eight appearances for Villa, so trying to make his deal permanent would make more sense.