Aston Villa now step up pursuit to sign £59m attacker tipped to win the Ballon d’Or

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According to a recent report, Aston Vill have stepped up their pursuit to sign a highly rated attacker on the continent.

Unai Emery and spring director Monchi have been hard at work bringing in a number of players over the last few weeks.

Already, the Villans have signed Samuel Iling-Junior, Ian Maatsen, Enzo Barrenechea, Ross Barkley and Lewis Dobbin.

Now they have turned their attention to a £59m-rated attacker.

• READ MORE: Alan Shearer reacts to Aston Villa star Ezri Konsa’s performance as England beat Switzerland at Euro 2024

Aston Villa step up pursuit to sign Atletico Madrid attacker Joao Felix

According to Spanish outlet Record, via Sport, Aston Villa have stepped up their interest in Ateltico Madrid attacker Joao Felix.

The 24-year-old spent last season on loan at Barcelona, where he netted 10 times whilst laying on six assists but despite wanting to return to Catalan, a deal at this stage is considered unlikely.

That leaves the door open for Villa, who are prepared to match the wages he’s currently on at Atletico Madrid.

Any forthcoming deal would likely be a loan with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.

How much that buy clause will be remains to be seen but a £59m price tag has been mooted.

Joao Felix tipped to win Ballon d’Or

Felix was once considered one of the brightest prospects in world football hence his eye-watering £113m switch to Atleti.

Though, he’s struggled to really live up to his early promise having failed to settle in under Diego Simeone’s stewardship.

Despite that, Atleti teammate Stefan Savic believes he can still win the Ballon d’Or.

“He is a different player, something that we did not have in the squad. He is still a young boy, he has room to grow and you have to leave him alone,” Savic told Goal.

“You have chosen the best possible club to grow. He has a great future and if he continues like this, I have no doubt that he can be a great player or a Ballon d’Or winner, but before that he has to win something with the club.”

If Villa are able to sign a Felix and unlock his lofty potential, they’ll have one of the best players on the continent.

In other news, Aston Villa want to sign a £25m attacker who Virgil van Dijk struggled against at Euro 2024