The summer transfer window is not close to cooling for Aston Villa with a huge update provided about one target.
It’s been a transfer window full of action so far for Aston Villa, who have spent more than any club in the Premier League.
Monchi and Unai Emery have had to part ways with several players in order to sanction the arrivals, with first-team names Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby among those who have departed.
Now, the race is on for Villa to locate a worthy replacement for Diaby, who joined Al-Ittihad on Wednesday, with one target standing above the rest.
Aston Villa in contact with transfer target Joao Felix as fresh twist emerges
Links between Villa and Joao Felix have undergone twists and turns so far this summer, with a fresh report sharing a new stance on the speculation.
While it was initially claimed that Villa could not afford Felix or Raphinha in this window, Emery’s desire to sign the 24-year-old has not gone away.
This week, Spanish publication SPORT reported that Villa are actually already in contact with Atletico Madrid over a possible move for the forward, whom Atletico are desperate to offload.
The report states that Villa have ‘already begun negotiations’ to sign Felix, who is an ‘express request’ of Emery.
Most prominently, SPORT suggests that talks could ‘go fast’ due to Atletico wanting the former Chelsea loanee axed ahead of their pre-season schedule.
Now, the thing to watch will be whether Villa can offer Atletico a suitable price for the forward, who is said to be valued at around €50m and is a player that Emery ‘prioritises’ signing ahead of next season.
Talks with Felix are expected to move fast
Given Atletico’s stance on the player and Emery’s desire to sign him, it would be expected that SPORT’s report has some truth regarding the speed a deal could be struck.
Currently, Villa are in the United States on their pre-season tour, with preparation for the 2024/25 campaign well underway.
Next term, the Villans will play in the Champions League, which is another plus in their pursuit of Felix, who will see featuring at the top level as a must.
There will be things to iron out if a deal is to be met, with the forward being a particularly high earner and a player whose consistency isn’t promised.
Still, Emery and Monchi are yet to disappoint as a team at Villa, with all trust in the Spaniards to get the team up to standard ahead of the upcoming season.
