Aston Villa to compete with La Liga giants for wantaway Chelsea star Gallagher has not signed an extension with Chelsea so far and it is fair to assume that the player is unlikely to change his mind now. He is set for an exit this summer and the likes of Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid would do well to sign him.
Aston Villa will be competing in the Champions League next season and they need quality players at their disposal. Someone like Gallagher would add drive, presence, control and composure to the Aston Villa midfield. He is well settled in the Premier League and he could make an immediate impact at Villa Park if he joins the club.Gallagher is entering his peak years and he could give his best years to Aston Villa if he joins them thiss summer.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are unlikely to stand in his way given his contract situation. However, the Blues will be disappointed to lose a player of his qualitty. Clubs like Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with Gallagher as well but Aston Villa and Atletico Madrid are well ahead in the race to sign the midfielder.
Joao Felix to Aston Villa transfer: Huge price tag, Unai Emery comments and obstacle removed
Aston Villa want to sign Joao Felix from Atletico Madrid this summer and talks are already underway between the two clubs.
The Portuguese is Unai Emery’s priority forward target after Moussa Diaby left for Al-Ittihad in a move worth £50.5m and Jhon Duran is likely to depart too. West Ham have seen offers turned down for the 20-year-old striker, who is also said to be of interest to clubs in Saudi Arabia.
Emery is a long-term admirer of Felix and believes he will be able to help him recapture his form at Villa. The 24-year-old spent last season out on loan at Barcelona after playing the second half of the 2022/23 campaign at Chelsea.
Atletic have set Felix’s price tag at around £50m according to reports from Spain. Villa are already in direct communication with Atletico about the possibility of signing the forward, but are yet to make an official bid.
Villa will try to drive his price down as the Spanish club wants to cash in this summer. However, after he joined for €126m five years ago from Benfica and has five years remaining on his contract, Felix’s value remains high.