Felix returned to Chelsea from Atletico Madrid last summer, following an underwhelming loan spell during the 2022/23 season, in a deal worth in the region of £42million.

Monchi also confirmed Villa’s interest in Paris Saint-Germain’s former Real Madrid winger Marco Asensio, while earlier this week the club rejected a shock bid from Arsenal for England striker Ollie Watkins. Villa have also been linked with a move for Joao Felix’s Chelsea team-mate Axel Disasi in recent weeks.

Aston Villa 's president of football operations, Monchi, has openly admitted to two players manager Unai Emery is eyeing up in the closing stages of the January transfer window.