Joao Felix in talks to quit Atletico with Aston Villa best placed

World Cup 2022 briefing: Day 17

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Aston Villa could pull off a shock transfer in January amid claims that they are leading the race to sign Portugal superstar Joao Felix. Atletico Madrid chiefs are supposedly resigned to losing the 23-year-old, for whom they paid a mammoth transfer fee back in 2019, as negotiations continue over his possible exit. 

Felix has been a regular fixture for Portugal at the 2022 World Cup and he’ll have more chances to perform on the biggest stage after they powered past Switzerland on Tuesday evening. His only goal of the tournament was in the 3-2 group-stage win over Ghana but his creativity and flair have consistently been on display. 

He was tipped to be one of the finest players in the world when he picked up the coveted Golden Boy award in 2019, moving to Atletico in a whopping £113million deal the same year. But things haven’t kicked on since and the Rojiblancos are supposedly looking to sell in the coming transfer windows before his value plummets any further. 

On top of that, the player’s relationship with manager Diego Simeone is thought to be a strained one. Atletico chief Miguel Angel Gil Marin is supposedly resigned to the idea that Felix will move on. 

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According to a stunning report from Spanish outlet Marca, Aston Villa are currently the best-placed team to pull off the swoop. That’s despite rival interest from the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain and a touted price tag in the region of £86m. 

Talks are already believed to be underway between Villa and the Atletico hierarchy, with super-agent Jorge Mendes reportedly keen to see arguably his star client move to the Premier League. The coup would be a major one for manager Unai Emery, who only took over from Steven Gerrard in October this year. 

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It remains to be seen whether Felix would be keen on moving to Villa Park given the other clubs in the hunt for his signature. The West Midlands outfit currently sit 12th in the Premier League but they successfully lured in big names over the summer, including Diego Carlos and Philippe Coutinho. 

Felix has failed to hit double figures in any La Liga season since moving to Atletico, having struck 15 goals in 26 matches in his only senior campaign for Benfica. The silky Portuguese forward plays primarily as a second striker and he would arrive in the English top-flight with plenty of experience in Europe and at international level. 

After a sparkling performance against Switzerland on Tuesday, former Manchester United star Gary Neville told ITV: “[Felix came with a] massive price tag going to Atlético Madrid a few years ago now and it’s just never really happened for him.

“You’re thinking, what type of player is he? What’s his best position? Is he a midfield player or a wide player? Tonight he was doing his absolute best. Delivering with real quality, playing passes in, linking play, looking over his shoulder, brilliant.”

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