Aston Villa progressing stunning swoop for £27.5m Golden Boy winner

Unai Emery is determined to acquire dream target Félix’s services this summer and the Villans now have the necessary funds to present an offer.

It’s understood that Villa are actively working on a package to try and bring Félix back to the Premier League, following on from a failed attempt to do so in the previous summer transfer window. It’s expected to be an expensive deal but one Emery is keen on completing.

The Portugal international spent last season on loan from Atlético at La Liga rivals Barcelona, where he scored 10 goals and assisted a further six in 44 appearances. Before that, Félix was loaned to Chelsea for six months but he scored just four times in 18 matches.

Benfica made a bid earlier in the window, aiming to reunite with their former wonderkid. An offer of €32.5 million (£27.5 million) was presented for 50 per cent of Félix’s future transfer rights. Barcelona also want to sign the Portuguese permanently but cannot afford both him and Nico Williams.

Félix was signed from Benfica for a whopping €126 million (£106 million) in 2019, the same year he won the prestigious Golden Boy award. Now 24 years of age, Felix is yet to reach the almighty potential expected of him - but he’s certainly not done badly.

The attacker has scored 34 goals and made 18 assists in 131 games for Atlético, while he’s already made 41 senior appearances for Portugal and netted eight times. All that Félix seems to need is a consistent home and steady horizon, something Villa would be able to offer.

Record signing Moussa Diaby’s recent €60 million (£50.5 million) departure to Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad has raised substantial funds that could be utilised to sign Félix. There are other targets, too, but the Atlético man is very high on the list.