Aston Villa look set to miss out on signing Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix, according to journalist Ladislao Monino.

Speculation earlier this month linked Villa with a sensational swoop for Felix. Reports even suggested that Unai Emery’s side were the favourites for the Portugal international and that contact was made with his agent, Jorge Mendes.

However, it doesn’t seem as if a move to the Midlands will materialise, with the 23-year-old also linked with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United.

The Latest: Midlands move ‘ruled out’

Sports Witness relayed an update from Monino, who was talking to Cadena SER regarding the 58-goal forward.

He said that ‘it is ruled out that he (Felix) will go to Aston Villa’, with Mendes set to look continue to search for an exit for his client in the New Year.

The Verdict: Move on…

An attempt to bring Felix to the club appeared an ambitious one from the get-go due to his ‘extortionate wages’, so it doesn’t come as a shock that a transfer won’t happen.

However, Emery is after an A-list forward over the coming weeks, so Villa need to move on relatively quickly. The likes of Marcus Thuram, Samuel Chukwueze, Arnaut Danjuma and Nicolas Jackson could all be options, so it will be interesting to see who NSWE make a move for.