Journalist claims Aston Villa could potentially pull off another ‘crazy’ signing
Aston Villa have made some outstanding signings over the past few months.
The likes of Youri Tielemans, Moussa Diaby, Pau Torres and Nicolo Zaniolo have all joined the Villans this summer.
Considering Villa have signed the likes of Philippe Coutinho in the past, Villans fans are no strangers to high-profile marquee signings.
Now, Ryan Taylor has claimed that Villa may yet have the chance to pull off the signing of Joao Felix.
The Portugal international appears to be surplus to requirements at Atletico Madrid and looks likely to leave.
Taylor, writing on GiveMeSport, reckons Felix “will probably be touted to Aston Villa” as his agents search for a new destination.
“Keep an eye on Felix,” said Taylor.
“I know this is crazy, but I think the later we get in the window, I really feel like he’s going to leave Atletico Madrid and he’s going to be floated to a lot of clubs on loan.
“I don’t know if Aston Villa would go in for Felix for the kind of money that would be offered. But I think he will probably be touted to Aston Villa. So keep an eye on that one.”
Our view
Felix is a world-class player who could do with a change of scenery after slipping down the pecking order at Atletico.
Admittedly, the prospect of him joining Villa seems slim, only because there are other clubs ahead of them in line.
Fabrizio Romano has reported on X that Felix’s main preference is Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Ben Jacobs has told CaughtOffside that Chelsea or the Saudi Pro League are also possibilities.
Nevertheless, the transfer window can and often does throw up some surprises. Let’s see what happens in the coming days.
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa target set to complete transfer before deadline
Aston Villa transfer news as previous midfield target Matteo Guendouzi, well known to Unai Emery, nears a move elsewhere
Matteo Guendouzi, Unai Emery’s one-time Aston Villa target, is finally set to complete a move away from Marseille this summer – and he is expected to move to Italy and join Serie A side Lazio.
It’s understood that Villa and Emery – who brought the player to England and worked with him at Arsenal previously – was eager to strengthen his midfield department in the January transfer window and Villa, as a consequence, looked into bringing Guendouzi back to the Premier League from his native France.
Having spent the 2021-22 season on loan at OM, he returned there on a permanent basis last summer when Arsenal sanctioned a £9m deal, and French international Guendouzi continued to impress in Ligue 1, so much so that he might’ve returned to the top flight and reunited with Emery, but that move proved too expensive to do.
Villa reignited their interest in Guendouzi this summer, but they instead eventually moved for Youri Tielemans, who they were able to snap up on a free transfer following his departure from relegated Leicester City. He has boosted the midfield competition, which already included Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz, John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey and Leander Dendoncker.
Now, it’s been confirmed that OM are in talks over the sale of Guendouzi to Lazio, in a deal which could be worth €18m. Guendouzi has two years left on his current contract at Marseille.
“I can confirm that there is an offer on the table,” OM president Pablo Longoria said. “It’s true that we received an offer and that the positions of the two clubs have come very close in recent days, but the deal is not finalised, there are still many details to settle and many situations of potential disagreement.
“There are always three parties involved: the buying club, the selling club and the player. Even a fourth with player agents and their various entourages.”
