Yahoo Sports Ex-Chelsea forward an option for Aston Villa as Diaby replacement
Aston Villa are considering a move to sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid as Moussa Diaby nears a transfer to the Saudi Pro League.
Felix has returned to Atletico Madrid after spending the past 18 months on loan at Chelsea and Barcelona, having fallen out of favour under Diego Simeone in the Spanish capital.
The 24-year-old scored 10 goals in 44 appearances for Barcelona in 2023-24, though the Catalans decided against activating a clause to make the move permanent.
Barcelona remain open to bringing Felix back to the Camp Nou but have full focus on signing Spain winger Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao.
Their stance on Felix could allow Villa to steal in and secure a deal, with Fabrizio Romano reporting the Portugal international is ‘appreciated by Unai Emery’.
However, a deal is described as ‘extremely difficult from a financial point of view’ with Atletico having signed Felix in a £113m club-record deal in 2019.
Villa are set to receive a £50m windfall, however, having agreed the sale of record signing Moussa Diaby to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad after just one season in the Premier League.
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