Aston Villa are aware of the desired outcome of the transfer window for Unai Emery’s ‘dream’ summer signing as talks regarding a deal continue.
So far, Unai Emery has welcomed eight arrivals to Villa Park this summer as Aston Villa gear up for a season in which they will try and sustain their domestic progress alongside competing in the Champions League.
Cameron Archer’s return following Sheffield United’s relegation due to a clause in his sale last summer is included as a newcomer, but really is a complicated problem Villa hoped they had dealt with.
Despite Champions League football Villa’s summer business has not come without departures, with exits for Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby despite both being key to last season’s success.
Of the eight arrivals, you could perhaps argue that only Ian Maatsen and Amadou Onana could be described as marquee, whilst the likes of Ross Barkley, Samuel Iling-Junior and Jaden Philogene are more sensible than superstar.
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That could change as Villa continue to push for a move for a player Emery views as his ‘dream’ target, but they could ow miss out after finding out the players preferred destination.
Joao Felix ‘keen’ on Chelsea return over Aston Villa move
Diaby’s £60 million move to Saudi Arabia has left Villa short in the forward areas but with money to spend to address the issue.
Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix is the player that Emery wants to fill that void, a move that would never have seemed possible even a season ago.
The Portugal international is looking to manufacture an Atletico departure this summer, just five years after the Spanish club spent £113 million to sign him as a 19-year-old from Benfica.
Villa are firmly in the race for Felix’s signature but are not alone as Chelsea look to add to their ever-growing squad with a move for the man who spent the first half of 2023 on loan at Stamford Bridge.
That could be a real blow for Villa, particularly as it now seems that Felix would favour a move to the West London club.
That is according to journalist Ben Jacobs, who posted on ‘X’: “Joao Felix keen on returning to Chelsea. Aston Villa aware of his preference. Talks ongoing with a deal with around €50 million (£43m) now possible.”
Aston Villa cannot afford to wait on Felix despite Emery desire
£43 million for Felix could prove to be a steal if the 24-year-old can regain his form in England.
However, with the season starting against West Ham on Saturday and just over two weeks left of the transfer window, Villa cannot afford to chase Felix all summer.
Emery needs a Diaby replacement imminently – particularly given the lack of pre-season Ollie Watkins has had due to his England exploits – and he cannot afford to risk failing to address this issue due to a long and unsuccessful pursuit of Felix.
There is no doubting that Emery has the tools to get the best out of Felix, but he has been far from remarkable in the past couple of seasons and if his preference is Chelsea then perhaps Villa would be wise to explore alternative targets.
