João Félix has revealed he turned down a move to Inter Milan before joining rivals AC Milan in the January transfer window.
The Portugal international joined Milan on transfer deadline day on a six-month loan from Chelsea after interest from several clubs, including Inter.
Asked about Inter’s offer during his unveiling on Monday, Félix said: “Yes, my agent talked to me about it but I had already started negotiating with Milan which was always my idea.”
The 25-year-old had signed for Chelsea on a permanent deal in August from Atlético Madrid in a deal worth €50 million ($55.4m) but scored just once in 12 games and only started three times under coach Enzo Maresca.
“The expectations for me were high at all the clubs I played for and when it doesn’t happen, you have to persevere,” Félix said. “My aim is to help this club, this team and win titles. The important thing is to win.”
One advantage to joining AC Milan was the presence of fellow Portuguese, coach Sérgio Conceição.
The former FC Porto manager took the reins at Milan on Dec. 30 following the sacking of Paulo Fonseca.
“He [Conceicao] never told me how much I would play, but that I would play in my role, and that convinced me,” Félix said. “I knew him from before. I know how his teams play. I like it a lot and this is also a reason why I’m here.
“I will do everything the coach asks of me to the best of my ability.”
Félix scored on his debut as Milan beat Roma 3-1 in the Coppa Italia.
“It has been a fantastic week with two wins and the opportunity to play and score at San Siro,” he said. “When you are here, you understand why it is among the greatest in Europe.”
AC Milan advisor Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes “magic” Félix has the potential to be a Milan legend.
“Let’s hope that João Félix also becomes a Milan legend,” he said. “He is a great talent, a young man who can still grow, a player who creates situations and knows how to unlock them in closed games. He is a player of magic and it is not something you learn. The coach knows him well, we know his qualities.”
Félix strengthened a formidable squad that already had Rafael Leão, Christian Pulisic and recent signing Santiago Giménez in attack.
He was keen to stress that all of them can work together and help at the defensive end.
“Having four attacking players doesn’t mean having no defence,” he said. “If we have to defend we do our job, too. We are attackers but we also help in defence, as you saw against Empoli.”
Although no purchase option was included in the deal that saw Félix arrive at Milan, the player has not ruled out staying at the club beyond this summer.
“For now I’m on loan and I’m liking everything,” he said. “Let’s see how it goes. The important thing is to stay where you feel well and I’m happy here. In football everything can change but if there was the possibility of staying, I would like it.
“My favorite player has always been [former AC Milan star] Kakà … I can’t compare myself to him but I would like to make the history he made at Milan”
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