Aston Villa confident of pulling off deal for former Chelsea and Barcelona superstar
This would be a serious coup.
Aston VIlla fancy their chances of pulling off a huge coup in the transfer market this summer by bringing in Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid.
The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Barcelona and the second half of the previous campaign on loan at Chelsea after falling out with the hierarchy at Atletico Madrid.
Relations have not improved and both the club and the player want to secure another move away for him, whether that is on loan or a permanent deal.
Radio Marca report that Aston Villa are confident that they can tempt Felix back to the Premier League and offer him his latest escape from Atleti.
Unai Emery’s side finished fourth in the Premier League last season and will embark on a Champions League campaign in the forthcoming campaign.
The Portugal international would offer them significant Champions League experience, having played in the competition for Benfica, Atletico Madrid, Chelsea and Barcelona.
Mundo Deportivo have reported that Atletico are looking for around Є60m (£50.4m), which may put Villa off moving for a permanent deal.
Another loan switch for the forward may be more likely, with a return to Barcelona another potential option.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta said earlier this year that he expected Felix to be at the club next season, but while that still could happen a deal for him is not a priority.
Villa now have the chance to snap up Felix before any deal with Barcelona is done, with Atletico in favour of the Portuguese moving to the Premier League rather than a La Liga rival.
Felix had a solid but unspectacular season on loan with Barcelona last time round, scoring 10 goals in 44 appearances across all competitions.
He did not nail down a place in the starting XI throughout his stay, with just 18 of his 30 La Liga appearances being starts.
He must now return to his parent club at the start of August, so Felix wants a deal done before then, so he does not have to go back to Atletico Madrid.
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