Jorge Mendez planning to bring Joao Felix to Aston Villa
Aston Villa have been linked with a shock move with Atletico Madrid star João Felix.
The January transfer window opens in a few weeks and reports coming out of Spain suggest that Villa are well positioned to sign Felix. The Portuguese has struggled for form this season and that has led to speculation that he will be leaving Madrid this winter.
The latest suggestions are that super-agent Jorge Mendes is in talks with Villa owner Nassef Sawiris over a sensational transfer.
Jorge Mendes is reportedly “pushing” the option of joining Villa to Felix. In David Ornstein’s latest transfer round-up for The Athletic, he claims that Villa is a genuine option for Felix due to the relationship between super agent Mendes and Villa owner Sawiris.
Mendes was the key intermediary between Sawiris and Emery during talks to bring the Spaniard to Villa Park. The Portuguese has a very good relationship with Sawiris and that could be the key to completing a deal.
What has been said
According to Spanish outlet Marca, Felix is “destined to leave” the Spanish club as we approach the January transfer window with Villa emerging as a shock candidate to secure the signing of the player in the near future.
The report goes on to state that Atletico chief executive, Miguel Angel Gil Marin, is already “negotiating” with Unai Emery’s side regarding a possible transfer, with his agent Mendes pushing for a move to the Premier League. Villa are reportedly “amongst the best placed teams” to sign Felix
He joined the Madrid giants for €127m in the summer of 20019 from Benfica, but has struggled to justify that cost in recent La Liga campaigns. In fact, this season Felix has only started five games under Diego Simeone.
Who else has been linked?
Arsenal are also reportedly interested in Felix and given that Gabriel Jesus picked up a long-term injury at the World Cup, Mikel Arteta could be eyeing replacements this January. Manchester United have also been linked, as have Newcastle United.
Felix impressed in Portugal’s 6-1 win over Switzerland on last week as they comfortably booked a place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup. While he is a regular starter for his country, the forward has found starts hard to come by for his club this season.
Speaking after the game against Switzerland, Felix addressed the speculation over his future. “I’m completely focused on the World Cup,” he told reporters.
“My agent doesn’t tell me anything about what’s going to happen, nor does he want to. I need to be focused on the now to play a great tournament.”
The forward did, however, send a hint on his stance on Atletico Madrid during the interview, hinting that he may be happier away from the club. “The way of playing with Portugal and then at the club is different,” he said. “When the conditions are favourable, things go better.”
What happens next
A price tag that huge would rule Villa out of the race altogether, but it is unlikely that any club would meet those demands. Felix is a sensational player, but simply has not proven himself to be one of the most expensive forwards on the planet while at Atletico.
Even of Villa were to negotiate a reasonable price and find an agreement with the Spanish club, there would be more obstacles to hurdle before a move is remotely possible. Felix is a Champions League player and Villa are planning on finishing inside the top seven within the next few years – the UCL anthem won’t be heard inside Villa Park any time soon.
A move would hinge on Felix’s desire to come to the West Midlands, which is doubtful due to the lack of European football at Villa and reported interest from elite clubs across the continent, such as United and Arsenal.
