Aston Villa ‘still leading the race’ to sign wantaway Atletico Madrid star Joao Felix

Aston Villa are still leading the race to sign Joao Felix after PSG pulled out of a potential deal, according to a report.

The forward’s future is up in the air after his loan spell at Chelsea, which didn’t go to plan and ended with the London club opting against making a permanent move for the forward.

He has returned to parent club Atletico Madrid but doesn’t appear to be in manager Diego Simeone’s plans ahead of the new campaign.

He’s free to look for opportunities elsewhere but the £113million transfer fee Madrid paid for the Portugal star means it’s proving hard to find suitors to try and recoup as much of the money as possible.

According to Football Espana, PSG are the latest side to pull out of a deal, though Unai Emery’s Villa could still be interesting in taking Felix back to the Premier League.

Aston Villa are reportedly leading the race to sign Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix (right) 

Felix wants to leave Atletico after an apparent falling out with manager Diego Simeone (left)

He had a loan spell at Chelsea last season but scored just four goals in 20 games for the Blues

Felix scored four goals in 20 games on loan for Chelsea in the second half of last season as the Blues struggled desperately in front of goal.

It was hoped by several parties that the move would work out and become permanent, but Chelsea have shown zero interest in making that happen.

Felix’s agent Jorge Mendes has been doing his best to try and flog the forward’s services, with the French champions the latest side to turn down the opportunity to take him on.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery (pictured) is in the market for a forward to provide competition for Ollie Watkins

He trained with Madrid’s academy on the first day of pre-season as he continues to search for a move away

It’s possible he could leave Atletico on another loan deal and Aston Villa could be potential suitors, with Unai Emery in the market for a forward to compete with Ollie Watkins.

Felix was spotted training with Madrid’s academy on their first day of pre-season earlier this week as he targets a move away.

The forward was consigned to an academy rondo alongside Renan Lodi while manager Diego Simeone led a tactical drill with other senior players. 

The forward reportedly fell out with Simeone before his move to Chelsea and it’s likely that’s impacted his chances of game time this season if he’s to stay in the Spanish capital.