Chelsea star who cost £112m eyed for shock transfer to Premier League rivals

ASTON VILLA could move for Chelsea’s Joao Felix as Emi Buendia looks to be leaving the club.

Villa winger Buendia is close to agreeing a loan to Bayer Leverkusen, which includes an option to make the deal permanent for £17million.

Buendia, 28, signed a one-year contract extension until 2027 on Sunday.

But his future appears to be away from Villa Park with boss Unai Emery looking for his replacement.

And the Spaniard could move for 25-year-old Blues forward Joao Felix.

Felix was Emery’s top summer target before the Portugal star’s £38.4m move from Atletico Madrid to Stamford Bridge.

And, with Felix starting just three times in the Premier League so far this season, Villa could reignite their interest before the January transfer window closes.

Whether a move would be permanent or on loan may depend on another piece of business.

Villa are also keen on Chelsea defender Axel Disasi and are battling with Wolves to seal a temporary switch.

Emery wants defensive reinforcements after selling Diego Carlos to Fenerbahce and seeing Tyrone Mings hit by a fresh injury during Sunday’s 1-1 draw against West Ham.

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But Prem rules ban clubs from taking more than one player on loan from any club, meaning a deal for Felix – who cost Atletico Madrid £112m in 2019 – would have to be permanent if Disasi also heads to Villa.

Villa and Wolves meet at Molineux on Saturday with both in desperate need of central defensive reinforcements.

Mings, who returned in October after 445 days out injured, fell to the turf in tears after injuring a knee again at the weekend.

But Mings eased fears of another long lay-off by posting on Instagram: “I’ve had some serious knee injuries, this isn’t one of them.”

Emery has also moved for Villarreal’s Juan Foyth, 27, who he worked with previously as boss of the Spanish club. Argentine Foyth plays centre-back and right-back which appeals to Emery.

Villa could push to land Foyth AND 26-year-old Disasi given that Ezri Konsa is the club’s only available senior centre-back — with Pau Torres facing another month out with a broken foot.

France international Disasi has started just three Premier League games all season.

Even with fellow centre-backs Wesley Fofana and Benoit Badiashile sidelined by injuries, Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has largely restricted the £39m signing from Monaco to Conference League and cup games.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk