Aston Villa go down ‘superstar’ route as Joao Felix transfer news emerges from Villa Park

Dan Bardell believes the Aston Villa pursuit of Joao Felix could be similar to when they signed Philippe Coutinho from Barcelona.

The Villans signed the former Brazil international for £17 million [Sky Sports] in a deal which hasn’t gone well for either party.

The 32-year-old has now completed a loan move to Vasco de Gama with his future at Villa Park all but over.

Sky Sports and talkSPORT journalist Bardell has compared the potential signing of Felix to when Coutinho signed from Barcelona under Steven Gerrard.

Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said “Joao Felix has been linked with Villa in the past and is a player we know that Unai Emery really likes.

I think he is a more conventional number ten than Diaby and can play as a striker if needed.

He’s a player that needs to find a home. It looks like Barcelona aren’t going to make him a permanent signing. Does he look at Villa as a more attractive proposition now?

Villa have been burned down the superstar route with Coutinho but I see this as being different.

It is definitely one to keep an eye out and I know there is genuine interest there.

Joao Felix compared to Philippe Coutinho Aston Villa deal

The Villans have been linked to signing the Portuguese international for a prolonged period with FootballTransfers reporting on 2 July.

Marca has suggested that Felix could be sold by Atletico Madrid for £50.5m (18 July) with Benfica also interested in resigning their academy product.

Joao Felix

Although this would be a large outlay for Emery to splash out, the 24-year-old could prove to be a perfect Moussa Diaby replacement option.

Coutinho was a risky signing at the time and there is no doubt that Felix would also be a risk for the Villans.

The former Barcelona loanee has undoubted quality which the tutelage of the Villa boss could allow him to rediscover in the Premier League.

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