Aston Villa told conditions for Joao Felix transfer as Atletico Madrid exit update emerges
Alan Hutton has told Aston Villa it will take a fee upwards of £50million to sign Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix permanently this summer.
Unai Emery is looking to bolster the attacking options in his squad ahead of the new season, especially after Moussa Diaby ended his stay in the Premier League after only one with a move to Al-Ittihad.
Portugal international Felix is reportedly one target the Villa boss has considered as a replacement for the Frenchman, with reports suggesting Emery’s side are still in contact to secure his “dream” target [Fabrizio Romano, 24 July].
Although Hutton believes Felix is an “outstanding” footballer, he thinks that this will be a “big money” deal for the Villans whether they secure the 24-year-old’s signature on a permanent or temporary basis.
“Atletico Madrid paid like £119million for him if I remember correctly,” Hutton exclusively told Villa News.
“It was something ridiculous and he was meant to be the next big thing, the next superstar and look he’s an outstanding footballer, but it just feels like it hasn’t quite worked out wherever he’s been.
“I know he was at Barcelona, he was at Chelsea for a loan and at Atletico Madrid, it seemed like he fell out with Diego Simeone. Could Unai Emery get the best out of him? I’d like to think so.
“He’s a guy who can play in numerous positions, as a false nine, right up top and out on the wing so I think it’s something that fans would be really excited about.
“He’s got that experience of playing at the top level and when you’re Aston Villa trying to replicate what you did last season whilst playing in the Champions League, these are the type of guys that you need.
“Whether it would be a loan or a fee up front I don’t know, but it’s going to be big money. They’re not going to lose out on £119million.
“It won’t be anywhere near that, but we’re talking probably £50million and then wages as well so it will be a lot.”
Will Aston Villa sign Joao Felix in the transfer window amid Atletico Madrid exit talk?
Felix may not have hit the heights expected of him so far in his career, but the versatile attacker is still young and therefore has plenty of time to get his career back on track in the coming years.
As Hutton suggests, Emery may be the perfect manager to help the 24-year-old rediscover his best form at Villa Park. He has helped the likes of Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey hit new heights over the last few years.
The question will just be whether or not the Villans are ready to spend the money to secure Felix’s signature either permanently or on loan. Hopefully, they back their manager and get him his dream target.
In other Aston Villa news, the Villans will consider a £50million offer for Jacob Ramsey after new transfer developments at Tottenham
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