Aston Villa are starting to emerge as front-runners for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, but a deal still remains some way off.
The 23-year-old looks set to leave Atletico Madrid this summer, and Aston Villa, who were interested in a loan move in January, still remain keen on the attacker.
It has now been reported that Paris Saint-Germain are no longer in the running for his signature, which means Villa could have a free run at the Portugal international.
Journalist Ruben Uria has now claimed that Unai Emery likes the player, and that whilst a deal remains difficult, Villa could push for a move.
“There is interest from Aston Villa, but there is no offer. Unai Emery likes him a lot, confirmed. At Villa they don’t see the operation as impossible, but it is very complicated,” he tweeted.
Could Aston Villa sign Joao Felix?
Villa are recruiting ambitiously this window, having already brought in Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans, and are also chasing Bayer Leverkusen winger Moussa Diaby.
If Villa spend big on the Frenchman, it remains to be seen what kind of deal they could strike for Felix, who joined Atletico for around £113m in 2019.
The Portugal star has a long-term contract in Madrid, and whether he departs permanently or on loan, he would cost a significant amount both in terms of fee and wages, and he may also want to play for a club in the Champions League.
A deal looks complicated, but if the player forces a move and his options are limited, then a move to Villa may not be impossible, even on loan, as Felix aims to revive his career, which has hit a crossroads in recent seasons.
Felix had a reasonably quiet loan spell at Chelsea last season after falling out of favour with Diego Simeone, and with his stock continuing to fall, a successful spell at Villa could help him achieve his sky-high potential.
