Featured Image Credit: AC Milan
Topics: Joao Felix, Chelsea, AC Milan, Transfers
Ryan Smart
Joao Felix has confirmed he turned down a surprise offer to leave Chelsea before deciding to join AC Milan on transfer deadline day.
The Portugal forward has signed a loan deal with Milan until the end of the season, becoming the second Premier League player to move to the Italian giants this winter after Manchester City's Kyle Walker.
He joined Chelsea for £45 million in the summer, signing a seven-year contract, but started just three Premier League games and was largely restricted to cameo appearances and Europa Conference League duty.
After joining Milan on deadline day, Felix scored on his debut in a Coppa Italia win over Roma, before playing 84 minutes in the 2-0 win over Empoli in Serie A on Sunday.
Advert
The Italian side's squad is packed with ex-Chelsea players, with Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Christian Pulisic all representing Rossoneri at the current time.
And Felix has now revealed why he decided to choose Milan over a shock move to their fierce rivals instead.
"I knew about the greatness of this club," he began. "Milan are huge. From the outside, you can see it's a very big club, and when you're inside, you realise you're in one of the biggest clubs in Europe.
Advert
"I already knew the coach [Portuguese manager Sergio Conceicao]," Felix continued. "I had played against him, and I followed him - I told him what to expect: to play in my role.
"He never told me if I would play a lot or little, but to play in my role. That's what convinced me to come to Milan.
"[My agent] He said that Inter was interested. But I had already started talking to Milan, and I had already decided to come here.
"I said it would be impossible, I had already made up my mind."