Aston Villa CONFIRM Joao Felix interest

Aston Villa have confirmed their interest in Chelsea forward Joao Felix as they look to sign a replacement for Jhon Duran.

Duran, 20, is on the verge of sealing a €77 million move to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr, and Villa are now targeting a number of forwards as they look to bolster their attack before Deadline Day.

Felix, who joined Chelsea from Atletico Madrid last summer, has emerged as a key target for Unai Emery’s side, and The Transfers Podcast understands that he is eager to leave Stamford Bridge amid his lack of game time in west London.

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The Portugal international has only started three Premier League matches since his arrival on a permanent deal in August and appears unlikely to displace Cole Palmer in Enzo Maresca’s preferred starting XI.

As a result, he is seeking a Chelsea exit and Aston Villa are now eager to complete a deal, according to Monchi – the club’s president of football operations.

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Monchi confirms Joao Felix interest

“They are two similar players who move in a similar area of the field and they’re to Unai’s liking,” Monchi told the El Partidazo de COPE Podcast (as per Birmingham Live).

“Marco Asensio, Aston Villa tried to sign him two summers ago. In the end he decided to go to PSG.”

Monchi added: “I think with [Joao] Felix we’ve tried to bring him in practically every market. In the end he decided to go to Chelsea, in exchange with Conor Gallagher and Atletico Madrid. He’s always been a target for us.

“Neither of them are easy because of the salary level and the cost level. It’s not easy but it’s true and I cannot deny that they are players who are attractive.

“If there is a coach in European or even world football who is characterised by recovering players and getting the most out of them, it’s Unai Emery. At Valencia, Sevilla, Villarreal, even here in Birmingham and Aston Villa, he has been able to recover talent.

“If the footballer has talent, and in the case of Joao Felix he does, it’s a case of finding a suitable environment to get the best version of the player.”