The Transfers Podcast: Joao Felix to Aston Villa, Nico Williams update & Pochettino to England?

Cameron Smith

Updated: 6 Jul 2024 10:54 BST
4 min read

Transfers Podcast, Joao Felix, Nico Williams — © IMAGO

The Transfers Podcast, powered by FootballTransfers.com and hosted by renowned journalist Duncan Castles, brings you the latest news and insight from the world of football.

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Here are the headlines from this week’s episode with Spanish football expert Guillem Balague.

Benfica and Aston Villa compete for Joao Felix

Benfica are increasingly confident that they can complete a deal to re-sign the most expensive player ever bought by a Spanish club, Joao Felix of Atletico Madrid, The Transfers Podcast can reveal.

However, the Primeira Liga giants could face competition from Premier League side Aston Villa, whose manager Unai Emery is an admirer of the Portugal international.

Benfica are offering an initial €32.5 million for 50 percent of Joao Felix’s future transfer rights. The deal would be a full transfer but Atletico would be entitled to 50 percent of the return of his next move.

Joao Felix is taking his time to decide and we understand that Aston Villa have also expressed an interest in taking him on board this summer.

Balague told The Transfers Podcast: “The club [Atletico Madrid] will do whatever Diego Simeone wants, including getting rid of Joao Felix.

“He doesn't want him back. Joao Felix doesn't want to go back to Atletico Madrid either.”

Nico Williams won’t push to leave Athletic Club

Nico Williams is not in a rush to leave Athletic Club. The Spain international is wanted by Barcelona, Chelsea and Arsenal, but he is not pushing to leave the Basque Country.

“€58 million will take him away and Athletic Club will not negotiate anything else,” Balague admitted. “It’s just a matter of paying that money.

“But Athletic Club is a different brand, a different way of being a football club. There is a sense that Athletic Club does a lot for you, so you owe the club.

“I feel Nico’s still in that position and I don’t think he’s in a rush to leave… When he feels he’s paid Athletic Club back, then he’ll go. I’m convinced about that.”

Mauricio Pochettino to replace Gareth Southgate?

Mauricio Pochettino is currently unemployed after leaving Chelsea at the end of the 2023-24 season.

The Transfers Podcast understands that Pochettino is wanted by the Saudi Pro League, but he is yet to accept a new job.

Balague revealed that taking over the England national team could be a possibility in the future.

“He [Pochettino] did say in the book that we did together that he would love to be England manager. He certainly would like that possibility.

“In Pochettino, you've got somebody that has worked with some of the youngsters [in the England team], has proposed a brand of football that is attractive and did very well at Spurs, and Chelsea.

“There is enough there to say he would be a good replacement for Gareth Southgate if he eventually leaves.”