Aston Villa compete with Milan for Joao Felix | OneFootball

Milan face competition from Aston Villa in their attempts to sign Joao Felix on loan from Chelsea in the January transfer window.

The Rossoneri are above all looking for a new centre-forward and set their sights on Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez, but could also bring in a creative midfielder for the trequartista role.

Joao Felix was mentioned as a potential contender, especially as his agent Jorge Mendes also represents new coach Sergio Conceicao and has close ties with Milan.

With the lack of playing time at Chelsea, the Serie A side were hoping to leave it very late in the transfer window to get a cheap deal on the loan.

Aston Villa spoil Milan approach for Joao Felix

MILAN, ITALY – JANUARY 22: Sergio Conceicao, Head Coach of AC Milan, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD7 match between AC Milan and Girona FC at Stadio San Siro on January 22, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

However, they face competition with RMC Sport suggesting today that Aston Villa are in direct contact with Chelsea for the same transfer target.

Several other clubs are interested too, but the Premier League side are the biggest threat to Milan for Joao Felix’s signature.

His salary is €4.5m per season, so for six months would fit within the Milan parameter.

Atletico Madrid famously paid €127m to sign him from Benfica in 2019, but after loan experiences at Chelsea and Barcelona, he was sold to the Blues for €52m.