Aston Villa chief names the two players Unai Emery wants to sign with Jhon Duran money

‘s president of football operations, Monchi, has openly admitted to two players manager is eyeing up in the closing stages of the January transfer window.

The Birmingham-based side are set to be flush with cash once Jhon Duran completes his move to Al-Nassr. And the Colombian will need replacing, given his impact off the bench during the first part of this campaign.

Villa have been linked with star Joao Felix, who has found minutes hard to come by at Stamford Bridge, and Marco Asensio, who is in a similar predicament at .

In an interview with Spanish radio show , Monchi has now confirmed that Emery has his eye on both players as Villa enter the winter window’s final stretch.

“The first thing we are going to do with the money we receive from Duran’s sale is to save part of it due to the [PSR] rules, which are very demanding,” . “A significant portion of the revenue will go to that.

“Then there are names, one of them is Joao. Emery likes him, because in the three markets I have been in, fourth with this one, he has always been popular and has been a small object of Emery’s desire.

“But it’s complicated, and I don’t know if we’ll be able to be there. He’s a player with a lot of quality and Emery, in his history as a coach, has been able to recover players who were considered lost, and he trusts in Joao’s talent.”

Felix has only started three games since completing a switch from Atletico Madrid last summer. The Portuguese international has been unable to displace in attacking midfield, and boss is reluctant to play them both in the same side.

Crucially for Emery, Felix has the ability to play through the middle, where he can deputise for Ollie Watkins when required, or in a variety of other attacking positions. It remains to be seen whether Villa pursue a loan deal or a permanent transfer.

Asensio could also land at Villa Park before the window slams shut. The 29-year-old played nearly 300 games for Real Madrid but his career has stalled since moving to the French capital.

“[Asensio] is a case similar to that of Joao Felix, there is also an important love relationship,” Monchi continued. “A little before my arrival, Aston Villa tried to sign him and was close, but he went to PSG. He is always a player that Emery has kept in mind because he believes in his quality.”