Aston Villa could use Chelsea’s interest in Unai Emery target Joao Felix to their advantage in a move that could see the Villa Park club sign the perfect Moussa Diaby replacement.
It is no secret that Unai Emery is a keen admirer of Joao Felix and with Atletico Madrid keen to offload the forward this summer Aston Villa have been eyeing up an ambitious move for the 24-year-old.
Given Atletico paid Benfica a massive £113 million fee to sign Felix as a teenager, the fact they are reportedly willing to sanction a sale for the Portugal international for just £43 million shows he has not performed as hoped in the Spanish capital.
Emery is said to believe he can get Felix back to his best, but interest from Chelsea has complicated a move; particularly as it has now emerged that Felix favours a Chelsea return.
That could prove a blessing in disguise, though, as Chelsea signing Felix could open the door for Villa to swoop for a player whose game time would subsequently be limited at Chelsea and is a better fit for Emery’s side.
- READ MORE: Jamie Carragher and Paul Scholes ‘don’t see’ thinking behind Unai Emery transfer decision
Aston Villa could sign Noni Madueke if Chelsea sign Joao Felix
Chelsea have a huge squad, with owner Todd Boehly seemingly wanting unlimited resources at Stamford Bridge.
The man at the helm at Chelsea, Enzo Maresca, has the unenviable task of keeping countless players happy and if Felix were to be added to his options it could see opportunities limited for some of the club’s other attackers.
If that situation materialises, Villa should consider making a move for 22-year-old winger Noni Madueke.
- READ MORE: How Unai Emery can kill two birds with one stone if Aston Villa seal ‘sublime’ £26m transfer
The England under-21 international only signed for the club last summer, signing an eight-year deal for £28.5 million, but the arrival of Pedro Neto as well as a move for Felix could see Chelsea open to offers for the former PSV man.
Newcastle United are already alert to that possibility according to talkSPORT, but Villa should waste no time and make a move for a player who could represent the ideal replacement for Moussa Diaby.
Madueke move makes more sense for Aston Villa to replace Moussa Diaby
Diaby only signed for Villa last summer but left for Saudi Arabia this summer in a £60 million deal.
Having arrived primarily as a winger, Emery transformed Diaby into a second striker who formed a strong partnership with Ollie Watkins, scoring ten goals and providing nine assists in all competitions in the process.
The Frenchman needs replacing and Madueke would represent a more like-for-like option than Felix who is more of a floating number ten who does not look to run in behind.
Madueke is a lightning fast, left-footed winger much like Diaby and Emery could repeat his trick by converting the English winger into a striker at Villa.
Despite Chelsea having an indifferent season and all the competition for places at the club, Madueke managed to score eight goals and register three assists in all competitions which shows he is capable of matching or even bettering Diaby’s output given a regular starting spot.
