Aston Villa are 'in the picture' to lure Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix to Villa Park next month, transfer insider Dean Jones has told GiveMeSport.

Unai Emery will be handed the opportunity to splash the cash for the first time since his appointment as the Midlands outfit's head coach when the January window opens for business.

GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones

Aston Villa transfer news - Joao Felix

According to The Athletic, super-agent Jorge Mendes is pushing for client Felix to make a mid-season move to Villa.

The report suggests the Atletico man's representative has built a strong relationship with the Premier League side’s hierarchy, having played a pivotal role in Emery being handed the managerial job in October.

However, in a potential blow for Villa, it has emerged that relocating to Birmingham is not seen as an attractive prospect by Felix.

In an interview with TVE, via MailOnline, Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil has claimed that the attacker wants to seal his exit and suitable offers will be considered after falling out with boss Diego Simeone.

Jones has previously told GiveMeSport that Villa are holding conversations over whether to head to the negotiating table after Felix has been pushed in their direction.

Read more: January Transfer Window 2023: When Does It Begin, Rumours and Everything You Need To Know

What has Dean Jones said about Felix?

Jones understands that Villa are facing stiff competition for Felix's signature and may not be at the top of his list of potential destinations.

However, the journalist believes the Midlands side still have a chance of winning the race for the Portugal international's signature.

Jones told GiveMeSport: "They're not the only club that potentially have the chance to sign Joao Felix.

"I think there are others that he would probably choose ahead of them if it were to come to it.

"But they're in the picture and, as an Aston Villa fan, I guess that is an exciting place to be."

How much will Felix cost in January?

According to Spanish sources, a bid worth upwards of £87million would be enough to tempt Atletico into sanctioning Felix's departure.

The report suggests that Mendes is putting the figure forward to potential suitors, which also includes Manchester United, Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich.

It means that Atletico are willing to take a loss on Felix after he joined in a £113million deal from Benfica, making him the fifth most expensive acquisition in the world, close to three-and-a-half years ago.

Chelsea are another admirer and they have been offered the chance to lure the 23-year-old to Stamford Bridge as they ponder over whether to sign a new striker, so it is clear that Felix is available ahead of the winter transfer window.

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