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Transfer news and rumours: Joao Felix to Aston Villa, Raphinha to Newcastle, Julian Araujo to Bournemouth

sportsmole.co.uk, 11 August 2024, 21:28
Aston Villa are reportedly prepared to submit a €60m (£51.3m) bid for Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix.

Felix has returned to Atletico after registering 10 goals and six assists in 44 competitive appearances during last season's loan spell at Barcelona.

The Portugal international has been linked with a return to Barcelona, but the Blaugrana do not seem to be prioritising a move for the 24-year-old.

Aston Villa are another club who have been credited with an interest, and Caught Offside are reporting that the Villans are ready to table a €60m (£51.3m) offer for the Portuguese attacker.

While Atletico are likely to demand a significant fee, they could be open to compromise as they look to offload a player who does not have a future at the Civitas Metropolitano.

Felix would provide Aston Villa with some useful Champions League experience, having featured in UEFA's elite club competition on 41 occasions.

Newcastle would 'love' to sign Raphinha

Meanwhile, Newcastle United are reportedly keen to sign Barcelona attacker Raphinha in the final few weeks of the transfer window.

The Magpies want to recruit a winger to Eddie Howe's wide options, which currently include Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy.

According to Football Insider, Newcastle would 'love' to prise Raphinha away from Barcelona before the transfer deadline on August 30.

The Catalan giants are believed to be open to selling Raphinha as they look to raise funds to help in their bid to recruit Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams.

However, the report claims that Newcastle may find it tough to pull off the deal due to Barcelona's financial demands.

Raphinha is also reluctant to leave the Blaugrana this summer and has already turned down offers from the Saudi Pro League.

The Magpies are said to be considering alternative transfer targets, including Chelsea winger Noni Madueke.

Araujo on verge of Bournemouth move

Down on the South Coast, Bournemouth are reportedly on the verge of signing right-back Julian Araujo from Barcelona.

Araujo made 109 competitive appearances for MLS side LA Galaxy, before he completed a move to Barcelona in January 2023.

The Mexico international went on to spend the 2023-24 season with Las Palmas, where he featured in 28 matches in all competitions.

Araujo has now returned to Barcelona following his loan spell, but he looks set to leave the Blaugrana without making a single appearance for the first team.

According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Bournemouth are set to sign Araujo after reaching an agreement with Barcelona over a €10m (£8.4m) transfer.

With all the paperwork finalised, Araujo is expected to undergo a medical on Monday before he can be officially unveiled as a Bournemouth player.

The Mexican will become the fourth new face to join Andoni Iraola's side this summer following the arrivals of Dean Huijsen, Alex Paulsen and Daniel Jebbison.

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