Journalist Dean Jones believes Aston Villa are unlikely to sign Joao Felix – though reports linking them with a blockbuster move are ‘interesting’ nonetheless.
Villa are making an audacious attempt to sign wantaway the Atletico Madrid star in the January window, with claims from Spain suggesting Unai Emery’s side are ‘well-placed’ to make a move.
Felix is widely expected to leave Madrid next month after seeing his relationship with Diego Simeone break down amid financial issues at the club.
Atleti’s already difficult position has been exacerbated by their exit from Europe after finishing bottom of their Champions League group.
Along with the side currently outside La Liga’s top four, the situation could be a real concern should the books not be balanced beforehand.
The 23-year-old is one of those players being touted for a move, with Felix starting just five games all season in La Liga.
So far failing to live up to his £113m price tag that brought him to Spain in 2019, the Portuguese ace showcased his talent at the World Cup and truly put himself in the shop window.
According to Jones, the Villans are perhaps unlikely to pull a transfer deal off, though he told GiveMeSport that there are positives to take from apparent talks taking place behind the scenes.
He said: “I still think it’s a long shot.
“I don’t consider it likely that Joao Felix will end up at Aston Villa. Ultimately, he is a Champions League footballer and that’s where he has to be playing football.
“But it is interesting that his agent is even willing to have these conversations.”
TIF Thoughts on Jones’ comments…
It would be an absolutely outrageous capture by Emery’s side if they can lure the World Cup star to the West Midlands.
At only 23, Joao Felix has a lot more to offer, and he showed as much in Qatar with a goal and two assists, with him also managing seven goal involvements in limited outings for his struggling Atleti team so far.
We think Felix will be desperate to leave given how this season has panned out for him so far, and that a loan move perhaps looks the most likely outcome next month.
In this case, Villa could well be in with an outside chance of meeting Atleti’s demands and giving Felix a chance to kickstart his career.