Aston Villa want to replace Moussa Diaby with signing of Joao Felix

The Villains will play in the UCL this upcoming season

Aston Villa, who have sanctioned a €60 million (£50.5 million) sale of their record signing, Moussa Diaby, to Al-Ittihad, are planning a move for Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix.

Félix, who left Benfica as a teenager in 2019 to sign a €126 million contract with Atletico Madrid, is one of the players Villa are considering. They hope to add to their Champions League roster after they have been absent from the European Competition since 1982–1983.

Atlético have loaned Joao Felix for the past two seasons, he played for Chelsea in the 2022-23 campaign before joining Barcelona on loan for the 2023-24 season.

Unai Emery admires Felix and will be an ideal fit for the Spanish manager as he aims to reinforce his squad for the European competition next season.

Emery is intrigued by the 24-year-old forward from Portugal because he respects players who can play all over the front line, like Morgan Rogers, who was signed in January. Villa are also interested in signing Nico Williams who has the €58 million (£49 million) release clause. However, Barcelona are in pole position to sign the forward.

Al-Ittihad, a Saudi Pro League team that has also approached Manchester City about purchasing custodian Ederson, is set to sign Diaby to a five-year contract. Meanwhile, Villians have already signed Amadou Onana, from Everton for a £50 million fee.

After arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer in a deal that may have cost up to €60 million, Diaby’s influence decreased during the course of the previous campaign. He participated in all 54 Premier League games, recording nine assists and ten goals in those games.

Villa increased their alternatives on the wing last week when they activated a repurchase option to re-sign academy talent Jaden Philogene from Hull City for a £13 million deal.

They have depth in attack thanks to the arrival of Morgan Rogers in January. Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey are already proven starters and will need another attacking player for next season.

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