Chelsea get first summer decision confirmed with Joao Felix transfer

AC Milan have made the decision NOT to signon a permanent deal this summer, it has been claimed. The forward is now set to return to at the end of the season.

Felix, 25, has struggled since his loan move to Milan in January, scoring once and adding one assist in 19 matches. He came on the final 28 minutes as Milan lost to Bologna in the Coppa Italia final on Wednesday.

While Felix has insisted that he would be open to extending his stay at San Siro beyond the end of the season, his long-term future does not appear to be at Milan. The former Atletico Madrid and Barcelona man is heading back to Chelsea when his loan expires this summer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

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Felix has two more matches for Milan before returning to Stamford Bridge. The Rossoneri travel to Roma in a pivotal game for a potential Champions League and European spot on Sunday, before hosting rock bottom and already relegated Monza on the final day of the season.

Once Felix's time in Milan is over, he will return to Chelsea to resolve his future. Reports have suggested that Flamengo are exploring a deal for Felix, and are prepared to make an initial loan proposal with the prospect of a permanent move. He still has five years left on his contract in west London.

Despite this, it's believed that Felix is not ready to call time on his European adventure. He is eager to stay on the continent and continue his football there, with Benfica and Aston Villa linked.

Chelsea invested £45million to bring Felix back to the club from Atletico last summer. However, his return has not proved to be successful, even if he scored seven times and provided two assists in 20 matches during the first half of the season. But Chelsea's depth in the attacking area made game time hard to come by.

Speaking on his future back in February, Felix said: "For now, I'm on loan until June, we'll see how it goes," he told reporters. "I'm liking everything: the club, the people, the infrastructure.

"My family and I have received a great welcome and I want to be in a place where I feel good. Things can change in football, but if there's the chance to stay here, I'd like that."

Meanwhile, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca explained why Felix was allowed to leave in January. "He has been very good with us," he said. "Just a matter of my decision (why he didn't play as much as he did).

"The reason why, we need defensive balance. When you have so many attacking players, you can concede and I don't like that."