Aston Villa are reportedly at the forefront of efforts to secure the services of Chelsea’s Joao Felix, with speculation mounting around a potential swap deal involving Jhon Duran. The Midlands club is gearing up for an active January transfer window, particularly in light of increasing interest in their key forwards, Ollie Watkins and Duran.
Recent reports indicate that Villa have rebuffed a £45 million offer for Watkins, while Colombian striker Duran is on the verge of a move to Al Nassr, with the transfer fee estimated at around £65 million. Although this deal has yet to be finalised, Villa's pursuit of Felix could have significant ramifications for their forward line.
As highlighted by TEAMtalk, Villa manager Unai Emery is eager to bring the Portuguese forward to Villa Park. Felix's reported dissatisfaction at Chelsea, combined with Emery's interest, has created a viable pathway for a potential transfer. The speculation suggests that Chelsea's interest in Duran could facilitate a swap deal, allowing Felix to join Villa as part of a player exchange.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Felix is particularly keen on a move to Villa, viewing the club as his preferred destination for January. Should a swap materialise, it is anticipated that Chelsea would need to provide additional financial compensation to Villa, given Duran's higher market value compared to what Felix might command at this stage.
Emery remains optimistic about revitalising Felix’s career following a challenging spell at Chelsea. In addition to pursuing Felix, Villa are also monitoring Matheus Cunha, who has garnered interest from several Premier League clubs. Meanwhile, there are indications that Arsenal are preparing a renewed bid for Watkins, although they are also exploring alternative targets should they fail to secure the striker.
In a related development, Liverpool have reportedly turned down a substantial bid for Darwin Nunez from Al Nassr. This decision may have implications for Duran’s potential transfer, as Liverpool will now need to consider other striking options.
As noted by TEAMtalk, Chelsea are expected to offload several players during this transfer window, with Aston Villa actively engaging in discussions to acquire two of them, aided by Emery’s involvement in the negotiations. The coming weeks are set to be pivotal as Villa aim to strengthen their squad while navigating the complexities of the transfer market.