- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
HITC understands that Aston Villa want Joao Felix on a permanent deal and are prepared to make him the club’s highest-paid player.
Aston Villa are showing no signs of slowing down in the transfer market and they are now in talks over what would be a statement signing.
HITC revealed last week that Aston Villa indicated their interest in a deal for Joao Felix with Atletico Madrid eager to sell the 24-year-old this summer.
An exit for the Portuguese star looks increasingly likely after he was pictured training alone after returning to Madrid.
It is understood that Villa are prepared to pay in excess of £50million to sign Joao Felix to a permanent deal this summer.
READ MORE: ‘He disappears’… Steve Nicol warns Aston Villa that Joao Felix could get Unai Emery sacked
They face competition from Benfica and Barcelona – but both European giants are only interested in a loan move for Felix.
Aston Villa wage offer to Joao Felix
While Villa are eager to get a deal over the line for Felix, they have told Atletico Madrid and the player that they will have to come to an agreement on his contract and wages.
Felix has five years remaining on his contract in Spain which is worth in excess of £250,000 a week – a figure that Villa cannot match.
Villa are prepared to offer a wage package, including bonuses, worth £150,000 a week to Felix. It would make him the top earner at Villa Park.
The main point of discussion is now whether Felix would accept the drop in wages to join Villa this summer.
Unai Emery is a big admirer of Felix and is eager for the deal to happen. He described Felix as a “special player” in 2023 and revealed that it was “not impossible” for Villa to sign him.
However, Felix’s wages are now proving to be a stumbling block and Villa insist that the drop in wages is something that Atletico will have to arrange with the player if he is sold.
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