Joao Felix ‘likely’ to leave Chelsea – Ornstein
Joao Felix is “likely” to leave Chelsea on loan before the end of Transfer Deadline Day, although Christopher Nkunku is now expected to remain at Stamford Bridge.
The Portugal international has failed to establish himself as a key player under Enzo Maresca this term and a mid-season exit is on the cards amid interest from AC Milan and Aston Villa.
Chelsea are eager to send Felix out on loan in order to ensure he plays regular first-team football for the rest of the campaign and an exit before the conclusion of Deadline Day has been described as “likely” by The Athletic’s David Ornstein.
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Felix reportedly favours a temporary move to Serie A and Milan have been tipped to lodge a late bid for the 25-year-old as they look to sign a new attacker on Deadline Day.
A move to Aston Villa, on the other hand, is currently deemed unlikely as Chelsea want to avoid strengthening a direct rival for a place in next season’s Champions League.
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Christopher Nkunku to stay at Chelsea
Although Felix could leave Chelsea before the winter window shuts at 23:00 GMT, Nkunku is set to stay at the club, despite interest from Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
Chelsea were prepared to sell the France international this month if their €72m (£60m) asking price was met, as per The Athletic, but both Bayern and Man Utd value him closer to the €48m (£40m) mark amid his lack of game time so far this season.
Nkunku has only started three Premier League matches this term, with Cole Palmer preferred in attacking midfield and Nicolas Jackson emerging as Maresca’s favoured centre forward.
Furthermore, while he is expected to remain at Chelsea until the summer, Nkunku could still leave the club in 2025 and the Blues have been tipped to pursue a move for Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap in the event the ex-RB Leipzig star departs.
Nkunku still has four-and-a-half years left on his current Chelsea deal, while his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) stands at €59.3m.
