Milan target Chelsea attacker and Kyle Walker if Rashford falls through | OneFootball

Friday’s reports in Italy claim that Milan will target a move for Chelsea forward and Portugal international Joao Felix, as well as Manchester City’s Kyle Walker, if the club’s attempts to sign Marcus Rashford fall through in January.

The 25-year-old joined Enzo Maresca’s Chelsea in a permanent deal worth 50m in the summer, having spent the latter half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Stamford Bridge, but is currently struggling to nail down a place in the starting line-up in West London.

Milan target Chelsea’s Joao Felix as Rashford alternative

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, he is a player highly appreciated by Rossoneri coach and compatriot Sergio Conceicao. Milan are still hoping to gift their new coach with an attacking signing in the January transfer window.

La Gazzetta claims that if Milan are unable to pull off a deal with Manchester United, then they will turn their attention in Joao Felix’s direction.

Cole Palmer of Chelsea celebrates with teammate Joao Felix after scoring his team’s fourth goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Chelsea FC at St Mary’s Stadium on December 04, 2024 in Southampton, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

The situation surrounding the Portugal international is similar to that surrounding Rashford. Chelsea would prefer to sell him outright, but could potentially be talked into sanctioning a loan deal with an option to buy.

A loan deal for Joao Felix would be considerably more affordable for Milan than Rashford, given that he earns less than half of the Englishman’s current salary. The Portuguese reportedly earns around €5.7m per season including bonuses, while Rashford is around the €13m mark.

The Rossoneri have a recent history of pulling off deals with Chelsea as well, given the relatively recent arrivals of Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Fikayo Tomori. Tammy Abraham, who went via Roma, is currently on the Rossoneri books as well.

Friday’s report also suggests that if Milan’s deal for Rashford falls through, then the path would also be cleared to sign Kyle Walker from Manchester City as well, likely as a free agent, even in January.

Manchester City’s Kyle Walker during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Etihad Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)