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Chelsea receive Joao Felix transfer bombshell as new offer launched amid £25m January battle

Chelsea's Joao Felix
-Credit:Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty Images


Chelsea appear to be involved in two separate transfer negotiations with the January window quickly passing by. The Blues have shown an interest in numerous players with Enzo Maresca seemingly keen to recruit another winger in order to strengthen his squad for the remainder of the season.

Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens and Mathys Tel have been the attackers linked with Chelsea, while Joao Felix, Renato Veiga and Christopher Nkunku are being targeted by clubs across Europe. A major move, either into or out of Stamford Bridge, currently looks unlikely to be sanctioned but that could change very quickly.

Felix and Veiga appear to be the two stars that could move on with interest from Italy and Germany, respectively, growing. With that being said, football.london has taken a look at the latest Chelsea transfer rumours with two big updates emerging over the weekend.

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Milan eye Felix

Sky Sports Germany's Florian Plettenberg has claimed that AC Milan are very interested in signing Chelsea's Joao Felix with a move for Marcus Rashford now unlikely due to the huge financial commitment involved.

Italian outlet Calcio Mercato have provided more details on links to Milan with Sergio Conceicao keen to strengthen his frontline. It has been claimed they are hoping to convince Chelsea to sanction an 18-month loan before signing him permanently for around £30million (€35m).

football.london says: It is hard to imagine Chelsea either selling Joao Felix or allowing him to depart for such a significant period on loan just six months on from signing him permanently.

While the Portugal international has certainly flattered to deceive since joining, despite some moments of quality, is it very unlikely that Chelsea allow him to leave for anything less than what they paid or without a suitable replacement lined up.

Given the fitness doubts surrounding Cole Palmer, it makes even less sense to sanction a Felix departure with the 25-year-old also finally looking set to have a chance at earning a prolonged run in the starting XI.

New club join Veiga race

Juventus have joined Borussia Dortmund in the transfer race to sign Chelsea star Renato Veiga, as per transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. The Italian club are looking to bring in two centre-backs this month with Lloyd Kelly another under consideration after Fenerbahce saw a £11million (€13m) offer for him rejected by Newcastle.

Juventus are now preparing a £12.7million (€15m) proposal for the centre-back. As for Veiga, he is now believed to want a temporary exit while Chelsea, if he was to move elsewhere, would only sanction a deal if it was permanent with £25million as their asking price.

football.london says: The whole Veiga saga continues to be rather baffling and it may just be better for Chelsea to accept a permanent exit. Though he does not seemingly want that anymore, there is plenty of interest from top European clubs which showcases how his value has risen.

Flipping young stars for profit has been one strategy under the new ownership at Stamford Bridge and this is a prime example of it working. With a second club now involved in the race for his signature, Chelsea can certainly drum up that £25million asking price.

Based on his lack of consistent minutes, it is unlikely Chelsea will ever be in a position to make such a sizeable profit which is certainly why it makes sense to sell now.