Milan is going to seal a loan-to-buy for Chelsea's João Félix for a deal believed to be around €3 million while paying 100% of the salary of the Portuguese forward. Maybe this transfer might be a restart for the player who in recent years never really was able to leave his mark on top clubs. But with this move, will he be able to find the keys that unlock his best version?
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All the while, Chelsea did their best to indicate a preference for sending Félix outside of the Premier League, rebuffing interest from clubs such as Aston Villa. Now, on the books in Milan, the Portuguese forward joins a club working to rebuild, seeking a place among the cream of European teams once more. However, the scale of the task is enormous for Félix. He needs to convince people that he can still be a decisive player, who many thought would be the usual self.
A career full of unfulfilled expectations: when João Félix made his debut in Benfica in 2018, it did not take long for the soccer world to recognize his talent. Atlético de Madrid paid €126 million for him to become the face of Diego Simeone's team.
Reality was different, as Félix never quite fitted into Atlético's rigid tactical system, his relationship with Simeone yo-yoed between hope and frustration, eventually patience in Madrid wore thin; he was loaned out to Chelsea and Barcelona but on neither occasion did the spark last.
At Chelsea, Félix was expected, though since his arrival in London, Félix has blown hot and cold. He would flash moments of brilliance, then fail to keep the level up, which saw him return to Atlético on loan. The loan spell in Barcelona started very well, but he later lost a place in the starting lineup.
Now, at 25, comes the moment of truth in his career. He either consolidates as an elite forward or keeps on being the wasted talent he has been.
Is Milan the right environment for João Félix?
Milan have, however, been highly active in the transfer window, securing Kyle Walker and closing in on Félix. The club are in desperate need for new energy within the squad, and the Portuguese forward may hold much importance with regards to that.
Unlike Atlético, where he had to fit into Simeone's structure of play defensively, or Chelsea, where the squad was pretty unstable, Milan might be different. The team really needs an attacking creative playmaker able to open spaces and finish plays-most of all in the increasingly competitive Serie A. If used properly, Félix might finally find the consistency that has been missing over the last couple of years.
Financial risk for Milan
Bringing Félix to Milan is not a cheap deal. The club will pay €3 million for the loan and provide his full salary. Given that Félix has not been a decisive player in recent years, this represents a big gamble financially.
Should the Portuguese forward fail to impress or prove as inconsistent as he sometimes did elsewhere, Milan will spend a healthy sum without having made a profit on him. More to the point, there is no guarantee Chelsea would lower their asking price should Milan seek to make the move permanent.
But if Félix regains his best form, he'll be an important player for Milan and could raise his market value. The club is gambling with a resurgence in talent that might prove to be either a stroke of brilliance or a costly mistake.