Portuguese forward Joao Felix is reportedly looking to leave Chelsea due to dissatisfaction with his lack of playing time, according to journalist Duncan Castles. Speaking on The Transfers Podcast, Castles revealed that Felix is eager to secure a move away from Stamford Bridge, with a potential transfer now looking increasingly likely.
Felix, now 25, made his switch to Chelsea permanent last summer after the club agreed to pay Atletico Madrid an initial €52 million. This followed a loan spell during the second half of the 2022/23 season, where he showed glimpses of his quality. However, his time under current head coach Enzo Maresca has not unfolded as he had hoped. Maresca has consistently preferred other attacking options, leaving Felix with limited opportunities to showcase his talent.
Castles also mentioned that Aston Villa could be a realistic destination for Felix. He explained that Villa manager Unai Emery has long admired the Portuguese playmaker and previously considered signing him. “Last summer, we reported that Unai Emery had been keen on Felix for some time and was interested in bringing him to Villa,” Castles stated via FootballTransfers. He further suggested that if Felix were to move to Villa Park, he could either serve as an alternative to Ollie Watkins or play alongside him in the attack for the remainder of the season.
Felix has found it difficult to make an impact in the Premier League this season. Since Chelsea’s second league match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in August, he has only started three games and made 12 appearances without scoring. While he has struggled for minutes in domestic league action, he has been more involved in cup competitions.
His performances in the Europa Conference League have been more promising, where he has netted four goals in just three starts. He has also played in Chelsea’s domestic cup matches, mainly against lower-league opposition.
In addition to Aston Villa, AC Milan has reportedly been offered the chance to sign Felix. However, the Italian giants have yet to make a decision, as they are also weighing up a move for Feyenoord striker Santiago Gimenez. Gimenez has caught the attention of top clubs after scoring in the Champions League against teams like Manchester City and Bayern Munich, making him a strong alternative for Milan.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa could emerge as one of the leading candidates for Felix’s signature, especially with Jhon Duran nearing a move to Saudi club Al-Nassr. Furthermore, Arsenal’s reported interest in Ollie Watkins could create a scenario where Villa needs additional attacking reinforcements. If Watkins departs, Felix could become a priority signing for the club as they look to strengthen their squad for the remainder of the campaign.
