Aston Villa are determined to make a marquee signing this summer.
Despite already making eight signings totalling £150 million (TM), including Amadou Onana (£50 million) from Everton and Ian Maatsen (£37.5 million) from Chelsea, the Villains are continuing to sound out the best talent on offer.
And according to a recent report from HITC, the player at the top of Unai Emery’s wishlist is Atletico Madrid’s Joao Felix.
Aston Villa in talks to sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid
Having experienced two underwhelming loan spells with Chelsea and Barcelona, the Portugal international, who joined Los Colchoneros from Benfica in 2019, is thought to be available for transfer following six up-and-down years.
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Atletico’s willingness to offload the attacking midfielder, who originally cost £113 million when he penned a seven year deal, could signal good news for Villa, who are believed to be ‘locked in talks’ to sign the 24-year-old.
A potential deal to bring the Viseu-born playmaker back to the Premier League is expected to cost Villa upwards of £50 million with the player’s £250,000-per week wages a potential obstacle. The two clubs have discussed a loan move with a mandatory future buy clause included — an agreement that may appeal to Villa now they will play in the Champions League.
During last season, Felix, who spent the campaign on loan at the Nou Camp, scored 10 goals and registered six assists in 44 games in all competitions.