Aston Villa want Atletico Madrid to reduce their demands for Joao Felix to around £50m to £60m if they are to proceed with plans to sign him permanently this summer, 90min understands.
The West Midlands club have been linked with the Portugal international in recent days as they go in search of squad additions ahead of their participation in this season’s Champions League.
Sources have told 90min that Villa feel they can now move more freely in the transfer market following the £50m sale of Moussa Diaby to Al Ittihad, and would be willing to pay that sum, or even a little bit more, to secure a top replacement.
Unai Emery is the main driver behind Villa’s interest in Felix – he openly admitted last year to wanting Felix, but felt he was unattainable at the time. This situation has now changed and Felix is now open to joining Villa due to Emery’s pedigree and the lure of Champions League football.
Emery further believes Felix would be the perfect fit for the no.10 role behind Ollie Watkins – the player’s preferred position, but one he has barely played in recent years, often instead being utilised on the wing.
Atletico are determined to sell Felix this summer in order to recoup some of the £111m they paid for him in 2019. Any funds raised from a sale could be spent on Chelsea’s Conor Gallagher, with the Blues still demanding a fee in the region of £50m. Arsenal target Mikel Merino is another cheaper option discussed by Atleti.
Villa would be open to a loan with an option or obligation to buy Felix dependent on the fee, though club sources insist they are in a healthy financial position heading into the new financial year, in part due to Champions League qualification.
Talks are not advanced over a deal as Villa want to understand the terms of a potential transfer and where Atletico are prepared to lower their demands.
Felix has had other options this summer having turned down a new approach from Saudi Arabia, while Barcelona would like to re-sign him following last season’s loan spell and he would give his approval to a return there if the finances allow for it.
But Barca are unlikely to be able to match whatever package Villa can put forth and any money spent by La Blaugrana is likely to go on Nico Williams first.
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