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Premier League giants Aston Villa are reportedly looking to beat Chelsea in their pursuit for Joao Felix. As claimed by Spanish journalist Belén Sánchez García via Atletico Universe on X (formerly Twitter), Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is pushing hard for the Atletico Madrid attacker's signature.
Emery has reportedly been in regular talks with the Portugal international despite Chelsea and Atletico Madrid being in advanced talks regarding the attacker. Felix has been strongly linked with a move to Stamford Bridge in recent weeks having previously spent six months on loan at the club.
It was recently claimed by journalist Ruen Uria via CFC Daily that the Blues had agreed a deal with Atletico Madrid regarding the transfers of Felix as well as Conor Gallagher. It was reported that the west London giants would pay Atletico Madrid €50 million plus €5 million in add-ons for Felix. On the other hand, they would receive a €42 million fee for Gallagher whose contract at the club expires next summer.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano also reported that the two clubs were close to an agreement for Felix and Gallagher. However, a deal is yet to materialize as Aston Villa are understood to be looking to hijack a move for Felix.
Felix emerged as one of the brightest prospects in world football at Benfica before Atletico Madrid decided to splash a €126 million transfer fee for his services in 2019. However, the forward has not been able to live up to the expectations under Diego Simeone and has been loaned out to Chelsea and Barcelona over the last two seasons.
The 24-year-old has contributed with just 34 goals and 18 assists in 131 appearances for the Colchoneros till date. He produced 10 goals and six assists in 44 appearances for Barcelona on loan last season. Felix's six-month loan spell was far from thoroughly impressive at Chelsea as he managed just four goals in 20 appearances for the Blues.
Pundit urges Joao Felix to join PL side despite Chelsea links
Former Manchester United striker-turned-pundit Terry Gibson has, meanwhile, urged Joao Felix to snub a move to Chelsea and join Aston Villa instead. Felix has been out on loan from Atletico Madrid since January 2024 after falling out of favor under Diego Simeone.
Felix spent the second half of the 2022-23 season on loan at Chelsea and the entire last season on loan at Barcelona. The Portugal international is currently back at the Metropolitano Stadium and faces an uncertain future at the club.
The youngster has been heavily linked with a return to Stamford Bridge on a permanent basis. However, Terry Gibson has claimed that Felix should join Aston Villa instead of Chelsea. He said, as quoted by The Hard Tackle:
“I think they might still get £50 million for Joao Felix, because of his age. There is a little bit of star quality there still. He needs a manager that backs him. Unai Emery is keen to get (him). He needs that manager who really wants him.”
Aston Villa are reportedly ready to pay £50 million for his signature while offering him £115,000 in wages per week.
