‘Decided in 5 minutes’: Reason why AC Milan signed Joao Felix revealed

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed why AC Milan signed Joao Felix on loan from Chelsea during the January transfer window, noting that the decision was made in five minutes.

Felix signed a six month loan deal with AC Milan after failing to break into Enzo Maresca’s team at Chelsea. The Portuguese scored in his debut match and will be eager to continue the good form.

Ibrahimovic who was part of the decision makers at Milan noted that talks about signing Joao Felix from Chelsea lasted ‘five minutes’, as he explained why the Rossoneri ‘need’ two full teams available to coach Sergio Conceicao.

“He’s already introduced himself with a magical goal, but we’re here to welcome Joao Felix today,” Ibrahimovic told the press on Monday, reported via TMW.

“He was the last signing of the transfer window, he is a great talent, he has a lot of experience but he is still young and can still grow. We looked for a player to link the midfield and attack for ‘blocked’ matches against closed-off teams. He can make the difference.”

Joao Felix of celebrates scoring on his debut match between AC Milan and AS Roma (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)

As well as Joao Felix’s arrival, Milan also brought in Santiago Gimenez from Feyenoord on deadline day, as well as Riccardo Sottil from Fiorentina and Warren Bondo from Monza, on top of the earlier arrival of Kyle Walker from Manchester City.

“When we went into this window, we tried to provide the coach with two teams,” Ibrahimovic explained. “We play a lot, we need alternatives. The coach has a lot of options now. If they defend, they can all play together. We need balance, in attack and defence.

“The important thing is to have given the coach two teams and lots of alternative options. It’s up to him to decide who to play, nobody has a guaranteed place on the pitch. We hope that Joao can also become a legend in Milan.”

Ibrahimovic went on to reveal that there was no need for much discussion when it became apparent that a deal for Joao Felix was on the cards.

“When his name came out, we talked about it. Then after five minutes, we decided we were done. Conceicao wanted him a lot. He knows him well, he’s a friend of his son’s.

“After we decided to take a punt on him, things went well, the negotiation went quickly.”

Felix’s current deal at AC Milan does not include an option to buy. However, after a goal off the bench on his first appearance for the Rossoneri, there have already been suggestions that Milan are looking to extend his stay beyond the summer.