Monchi has now taken a step forward in Aston Villa’s hopes to secure one top-quality target this summer.
Unai Emery is not slowing down momentum in the summer transfer window, with further new arrivals expected at Villa Park.
The manager and Monchi have already welcomed five new faces to Aston Villa ahead of the 2024/25 campaign, with speculation heating up regarding another target.
Next season will mark Villa’s return to the Champions League after finishing fourth last term, meaning a higher calibre squad is needed to compete with the best.
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Aston Villa step up their pursuit of transfer target Joao Felix
Upon his return from loan at Barcelona, Joao Felix is set to be on the move again this summer with his future at Atletico Madrid far from imaginable.
Villa are one of the clubs said to be interested in Felix, who has spent time during the previous two seasons on loan away from his parent club.
To follow on from initial reports of Villa’s interest, Spanish outlet Sport claims that the Midlands club have ‘taken a step forward’ in their attempt to sign Felix.
The report credits Villa with having a goal to sign the 24-year-old on loan with an obligation to buy, and will most importantly, be able to match the player’s wage demands.
That being said, Sport say that Benfica are currently the favourites to sign the Atletico Madrid outsider, with the Portuguese club ready to offer €30m for his services.
Having already played in the Premier League during a loan spell with Chelsea, it will be interesting to see where Felix’s future lies, particularly now that there is an understanding that Villa would pay his wage demands.
Unai Emery could sign his answer to Jude Bellingham with Felix
Having secured a £113m move to Atletico in 2019 at the age of just 19, Felix’s quality is unquestionable despite a rocky few years.
Now, Villa find themselves in a position where they could hire the Portuguese gem, who could offer Emery added star quality ahead of next term.
The 24-year-old contributed to 10 goals in 30 La Liga appearances last season at Barcelona, with him being statistically comparable to England international Jude Bellingham, via FBref.
Positionally, the two players are similar, with the duo occupying the space behind the striker to their benefit, something Felix could offer to Emery’s attack.
No forward in La Liga averaged a higher rate of expected goals (xG) per 90 than the Villa target last season (0.51 per 90), with Felix also averaging a higher rate of shots on target per 90 (1.46) than Bellingham (1.32).
The calibre of player that Emery could revive in Felix is exciting, handing Monchi a challenge in the transfer window to acquire the Portugal international from Atletico.
The Spaniard could now capture his answer to Bellingham this summer with a signing that has the power to take Villa to the next level on their Champions League quest.
