Two Premier League clubs are reportedly contemplating whether to make an approach for Chelsea forward Joao Felix.
Having been purchased for £45m last summer, the expectation was that Felix would become an important part of Enzo Maresca's squad at Stamford Bridge.
Instead, after just nine starts, 11 substitute outings and 364 minutes of Premier League football, the Portugal international was loaned to AC Milan in February with the potential of a permanent switch to San Siro.
Felix has since been desperately disappointing in Italy, netting just once in seven starts and nine substitute appearances, and the 25-year-old will return to Chelsea at the end of the season with his career in limbo.
That said, with Chelsea highly likely to be open to permanent and loan offers, the versatile attacker will not be short of interest in his signature.
© Imago
Premier League duo considering Felix move
As per TBR Football, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers are both monitoring the situation ahead of potentially making an approach.
The Hammers are managed by someone in Graham Potter who worked with Felix when the player spent the second half of 2022-23 on loan at Chelsea.
Under Potter and Frank Lampard, Felix made 14 starts and six substitute outings, emphasising that he was in favour with both managers at that time.
Meanwhile, Wolves are currently one of the form teams in Europe having recorded five successive victories in the Premier League, ensuring that they have avoided relegation.
With Matheus Cunha expected to be sold in a £62.5m deal at some point in the summer market, Wolves will have funds to spend and space for a player of Felix's qualities.
© Imago
Are Premier League teams only outsiders?
The report adds that Benfica are also interested in re-signing their former player, who is also open to another stint in the Portuguese capital.
There is said to be an understanding at Chelsea that a loan deal with the option to buy is the most realistic method to part ways with Felix.
Felix is at a point in his career where first-team football will take priority, the former £113m man having already made 37% of his appearances in club football as a substitute.
Wolves' best chance of signing Felix is through the amount of Portuguese-speaking players and coaching staff that are present at Molineux, while West Ham would give him the chance to remain in London, which was one of the factors that took him to Chelsea.
Darren Plant
