Aston Villa Eye Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid as £50m Moussa Diaby Moves to Saudi Arabia

Aston Villa are exploring a move for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, though they must negotiate a favorable financial arrangement to make the transfer happen.

Felix, a Portugal international, is a key target for Unai Emery as Villa prepare for their Champions League campaign. The club is seeking forward reinforcements following Moussa Diaby's impending move to Saudi Arabian side Al-Ittihad.

Having already invested around £140 million this summer and offloaded several high earners, including Douglas Luiz and Philippe Coutinho, Villa are keen to adhere to financial regulations. The total cost for Felix, encompassing both his wages and loan fee, is substantial, necessitating a financial compromise with Atletico for the deal to move forward.

Felix, who took a pay cut last season to facilitate a loan move to Barcelona, is understood to have received a significant salary increase since then. The 24-year-old previously experienced Premier League football during a loan stint at Chelsea in the latter half of the 2022-23 season.

Villa are also interested in Athletic Bilbao's Nico Williams, who shone for Spain in Euro 2024, though they face stiff competition for his signature.

Diaby is expected to finalize his £50 million transfer to Al-Ittihad later this week, concluding his brief stint at Villa after just one season.