Aston Villa find themselves in a competitive battle with AC Milan for the signature of Chelsea forward Joao Felix, as reported by Football Insider. The Midlands club has recently opened discussions to secure the services of the talented playmaker, with Monchi, the club's president of football operations, confirming their interest last week.
However, the landscape has shifted with AC Milan reportedly taking the lead in negotiations. Sources suggest that the Italian side is optimistic about finalising a deal for Felix before the transfer window closes. The forward was recently spotted attending the Milan derby at the San Siro, which ended in a 1-1 draw, further fuelling speculation regarding his potential move to Italy.
Felix, 25, joined Chelsea last summer on a long-term contract that runs until 2030. Despite this commitment, he has struggled to secure a regular spot in the starting XI under manager Enzo Maresca, often featuring in the Chelsea 'B' team during Europa Conference League matches. This season, he has made just 12 appearances in the Premier League, contributing seven goals and two assists across all competitions.
Reports from TalkSPORT indicate that Felix is "unhappy" at Stamford Bridge, which has intensified speculation about his potential exit in the January transfer window. While Villa appears to be losing momentum in their pursuit of Felix, manager Unai Emery has successfully completed the loan signing of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. Rashford will be eager to revitalise his career at Villa Park following a challenging spell at Old Trafford.
In addition to their interest in Felix, Villa is reportedly eyeing Chelsea defender Axel Disasi, aiming to utilise the funds generated from the sale of Jhon Duran to further bolster their squad. In a related development, Cesare Casadei has reached out to Chelsea after agreeing on terms with a 22-year-old player, indicating that Villa's activity in the transfer market is far from over.
As the transfer deadline approaches, Villa's pursuit of Felix remains uncertain, but the club's proactive approach in the market suggests they are determined to strengthen their squad, regardless of the outcome in this particular chase.