Chelsea are still working hard on a number of exits as the January transfer window ticks into its final hours.
While the signing of a new midfielder is high on the agenda for Chelsea, it feels as if players leaving the club is going to dominate headlines on deadline day.
It has been a quiet January so far for the Blues, in comparison to how much business they completed in the summer transfer window of 2024.
Of those brought in, Renato Veiga has already left the club on loan until the end of the season, and talk of Joao Felix getting his deadline day exit has refused to go away.
Questions have to be asked of Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart over Joao Felix deal
The Portugal international was signed for big money over the summer, and handed a long-term contract to match the other acquisitions made by the club in recent seasons.
Despite that, he has struggled to establish himself as an important member of the squad in Premier League games.
Felix has just three starts in the competition, and has not found the net domestically since his second debut against Wolves.
Considering reports have stated Enzo Maresca didn’t even want to sign Felix over the summer, questions will be aimed at the sporting directors, Laurence Stewart and Paul Winstanley as to what the thinking was to sign him originally, and what it is now to loan him out just months later.
Many are under the impression the signing was in part down to the desire to sell Conor Gallagher. The England international captained the side for the majority of last season, although he was moved on to Atletico Madrid over the summer.
Six months on, Chelsea have a player they are clearly not too interested in keeping hold of in their ranks, with offers coming at them for a deadline day loan.
Clubs interested in Chelsea’s Joao Felix on deadline day
Aston Villa made an enquiry over the availability of Felix, led by manager Unai Emery’s long-term admiration for him.
However, similar with any deals for Axel Disasi, the Blues do not want to deal with Villa due to them potentially strengthening a rival for Champions League football.
This has left AC Milan the favourites to complete a deal, and Felix’s relationship with manager Sergio Conceicao could play a key part in any decision.
With time running out though, sides are going to have to get their deal accepted quickly if they want the Portugal star for the rest of the campaign.
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