Joao Felix has explained the reasons behind his decision to decline a January transfer to Aston Villa, opting instead for a move to AC Milan. Despite Villa manager Unai Emery’s clear admiration for the Portuguese forward, the Premier League club has been unsuccessful in their attempts to secure Felix in the previous two transfer windows. After leaving Atletico Madrid for Chelsea last summer in a £45 million deal, Felix made another move before the close of the January window, departing Stamford Bridge on loan for Milan.
In his first interview since joining the Serie A giants, Felix shared his thoughts on the transfer process. “My agent informed me of interest from other clubs, but by that point, I was already deep in negotiations with AC Milan. In my mind, this was the only option,” he explained. “I had already made up my mind to come here.”
Felix, who is currently at Milan on loan until June, went on to express his satisfaction with his new surroundings. “At the moment, I’m just focused on the loan until the end of the season, but we’ll see how things go,” he said. “I’m enjoying everything about the club, the people, and the facilities. My family and I have been welcomed with open arms, and I want to be in a place where I feel happy. Of course, things can change in football, but if the opportunity arises to stay here, I’d be more than happy.”
Reflecting on his early experiences at Milan, Felix shared his excitement about his time so far. “A week has already passed, and it’s been amazing,” he said. “The two wins and my first goal at San Siro made it even more special. I always knew that AC Milan was a prestigious club, but I’m still surprised by the scale of it. You can feel the magnitude of the club as soon as you arrive. It’s undoubtedly one of the biggest in Europe.”
Felix also spoke about the incredible atmosphere at the iconic San Siro stadium. “The atmosphere at San Siro is unlike anything else,” he said. “It was my first match here, and I didn’t expect such an affectionate reception from the fans. I was really touched. Let’s hope we can keep this momentum going.”
Felix’s decision to choose Milan over Villa shows just how significant the allure of one of Europe’s most storied clubs is. With the passionate fanbase, historic stadium, and the opportunity to continue his career at a world-class club, it’s clear that Felix is eager to make the most of his time at AC Milan, hoping that this move could lead to something long-term.
