Aston Villa is making moves to strengthen its frontline, with João Félix and Marco Asensio emerging as key targets in the ongoing transfer window. Monchi, the club’s president of football operations, has confirmed that both players are on Villa’s radar as the club looks to bolster its attacking options before the deadline.
At the same time, Villa is set to part ways with Colombian forward Jhon Durán, who is closing in on a lucrative transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. The deal is expected to be finalized on Friday, with a transfer fee close to €85 million ($88m).
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Jhon Durán’s Big-Money Move to Al Nassr
Durán’s transfer to Al Nassr will mark a significant shift for the young forward, both financially and professionally. The Saudi club has reportedly offered the 20-year-old a salary five times what he currently earns at Villa.
Monchi spoke about the deal, stating, “Between the fixed amount and variables, we are close to €85m, so we have accepted it. It’s not done yet because the documents have not been signed. We hope we can get it signed [on Friday].”
He further explained why Villa decided to accept the offer: “It’s an important transfer for a very good player with tremendous potential. But these types of offers, for the club and the player, are difficult to reject because of the figures. We evaluated the pros and cons and decided to accept it.”
Monchi also acknowledged the challenge of competing with Saudi clubs financially: “[We can’t compete with Saudi Arabia] from a standpoint of transfer fee and wages. In Duran’s case, it [the salary Al Nassr have offered] quintuples the wages he gets at Aston Villa. He already has an important salary at Villa that we had renewed three months ago.”
João Félix and Marco Asensio as Villa’s Ambitious Plans for Attacking Reinforcements
With Durán’s departure imminent, Villa is focused on securing a new forward, with Félix and Asensio emerging as prime candidates. According to Monchi, their playing styles align with the vision of head coach Unai Emery.
“Regarding the names we are considering and the profile [Villa coach] Unai [Emery] is looking for, they [Félix and Asensio] are similar players and are to Unai’s liking,“ Monchi confirmed.
Félix, 25, has struggled to find regular playing time at Chelsea, where he has only managed 363 Premier League minutes this season, scoring one goal in 12 appearances. Having previously joined Chelsea from Atlético Madrid, the Portugal international is reportedly keen to move in search of more consistent opportunities.
Meanwhile, Asensio’s stint at Paris Saint-Germain has been underwhelming. Since his move from Real Madrid in the summer of 2023, the Spanish forward has netted just twice in 16 appearances across all competitions.
Villa’s Previous Interest in Félix and Asensio
This is not the first time Villa has pursued either player. Monchi revealed that the club had been tracking Asensio long before he joined PSG.
“One month before I arrived to Villa, two summers ago, Aston Villa tried to sign Asensio before he decided to join PSG,” Monchi disclosed.
He also admitted that Félix has been a long-standing target: “We have tried to bring Félix in all the transfer windows. We came close last summer but he decided to go to Chelsea in the swap deal that saw [Conor] Gallagher join Atlético Madrid.”
Unai Emery’s Reputation for Reviving Players
Monchi believes that Villa, under Emery, could provide Félix with the perfect environment to regain his best form. Since his record-breaking €126m transfer from Benfica to Atlético Madrid in 2019, Félix has struggled to fulfill his immense potential.
Monchi expressed confidence in Emery’s ability to rejuvenate talent: “If there is a coach in world football that can recover players and bring out the best, that is Unai Emery. He did it at Valencia, at Sevilla, at Villarreal, at Aston Villa. Unai has been able to recover talent.”
He added: “In the case of João Félix, he does have it. It’s a case of looking at the right environment to bring out the best of the player. Unai does a good job in that department.”
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FAQs
Are Aston Villa signing João Félix and Marco Asensio?
Aston Villa is interested in signing João Félix and Marco Asensio, with club director Monchi confirming they fit Unai Emery’s desired profile. However, negotiations are still ongoing.
Why is Jhon Durán leaving Aston Villa for Al Nassr?
Jhon Durán is set to join Al Nassr for nearly €85 million, as Villa accepted the offer due to the substantial transfer fee and the player’s salary increase, which is five times his current wages.
Has Aston Villa tried to sign João Félix and Marco Asensio before?
Yes, Villa previously attempted to sign Asensio before he joined PSG and pursued Félix in past transfer windows, but deals did not materialize.
Why does Monchi believe Unai Emery is the right coach for João Félix?
Monchi believes Emery has a proven track record of reviving underperforming talent, citing his past success at Valencia, Sevilla, Villarreal, and Aston Villa.
How have João Félix and Marco Asensio performed this season?
Félix has struggled for game time at Chelsea, scoring once in 12 league appearances, while Asensio has managed two goals in 16 games for PSG across all competitions.
