GdS: ‘Milan have chosen Joao’ – the strategy to sign ‘world class’ forward permanently | OneFootball

AC Milan have already decided that they want to keep Joao Felix beyond his loan, and they could finance the operation with one or two big sales.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Joao Felix is enthusiastic about the start of his adventure in Milan while the directors are convinced that they have signed a ‘world-class’ player, capable of making the difference on the pitch with his play and off it with his popularity.

The former Chelsea man in terms of age, ability and quality is the emblem of the new Milan that was born after the January transfer window. Santiago Gimenez and Warren Bondo were two investments with a view to the future, but Felix is for right now.

Due to the fact it was a deadline day deal, there was no time for Milan and Chelsea to agree an option or obligation to buy figure. In a couple of months, however, the management will begin groundwork find an agreement and keep the number 79 at Milanello.

It could be that he remains on loan, but this time with an obligation to buy set at around €40m or a little less, with the addition of bonuses. Chelsea paid €52m to sign him in the 2024 summer window, so it would be hard to agree a lower figure.

The Diavolo expect to get the sum from one or two important departures: one is certainly that of Theo Hernandez, who has not yet renewed his contract expiring in 2026 despite the discussions and optimism that in recent weeks was greater than now.

However, the exit of Rafael Leao should not be ruled out either, especially if an offer deemed appropriate arrives. By ‘appropriate’ the paper do not mean the entire amount of the €175m release clause in his deal.

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Choosing Joao

Joao was strongly desired by Conceiçao and his arrival in Serie A was facilitated by the work of Jorge Mendes, his agent who understood how important Milan could be to turn his career around after unmemorable seasons at Chelsea and Barcelona.

Milan are a team that in theory marry well with Felix’s abilities because they are a club that have appreciated great number 10s, putting talent at the centre of everything, quite literally in terms of the attacking manoeuvre.

The ex-Benfica starlet has a lot of talent and it is no coincidence that – thanks to the goal scored scored on debut with a chip in the Coppa Italia against Roma – he has already made San Siro fall in love. Now, they expect big things from him in the next two matches against Verona and Feyenoord.

Joao is ready: he confided to those close to him that he feels great both in the dressing room and in the city, and that he is happy because he feels he has found the right coach and the right dimension to return to the levels he showed at Benfica.

Funding the investment

How will Milan finance the potential €40m+ coup? The money for the departures of Marco Brescianini and Daniel Maldini (through resale clause) has already come in, while the money for Charles De Ketelaere is also a given.

However, it is logical to also hope that Marseille will redeem Ismael Bennacer, that Juventus will keep Pierre Kalulu and that in 2026 Galatasaray will buy Alvaro Morata. Then there is Theo Hernandez who is certainly not playing his best season in red and black.

The Frenchman seems to have reached the end of a journey and while it remains to be seen whether an offer deemed appropriate by the club will arrive, the renewal situation means that the club are almost obliged to listen to every bid.

The contractual situation is different for Rafa, but he is not having a memorable season either. His performance is certainly better than that of the left-back, but the Portuguese alternates great performances like in Madrid and in the Supercoppa final with disappointing evenings.

In the winter he said no to the idea of a move to the Middle East, where they would have showered him with money, but he made clear the attachment he feels to Milan.

At the end of the season, however, in the event of an offer from Barcelona or another top club, the scenario will have to be re-evaluated.