Gary Lineker and Micah Richards have shared concerns over Joao Felix’s rumoured transfer from Chelsea to Aston Villa . Villa are bracing themselves for a hectic end to the January transfer window, with two of their star forwards potentially leaving. Arsenal have made an audacious bid for Ollie Watkins, but the Villans insist the England striker is going nowhere. The same can’t be said for Jhon Duran however, who looks set to complete a surprise £64million move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr.

As a result, Unai Emery is interested in bringing Felix to Villa Park to replace the Colombian international, with the player himself keen to leave Stamford Bridge. Felix, 25, returned to Chelsea last summer in a deal worth up to £46.3m but has started just three Premier League games under Enzo Maresca, with the likes of Cole Palmer firmly ahead in the pecking order. It’s a transfer that would seem to suit all parties but Lineker and Richards don’t see how the Portugal star will fit in at Villa.

Discussing the transfer rumour on The Rest is Football podcast, England legend Lineker said: ‘That’s a funny one because he’s a player that went with a massive price tag when he was really young to Atletico Madrid. ‘He’s huffed and puffed and threatened on occasions to show that potential and it’s never really materialised for him. ‘There’s no question there’s a lot of ability in there but he’s never managed to get a regular starting place anywhere so I don’t know what Aston Villa would see him as.’.

Former Villa defender Richards agreed, adding: ‘That’s the thing. It’s not a mistake because he’s a fancy name. Everyone wants a marquee signing and to get a player of that stature by name to Villa Park would be amazing. ‘They just have to be careful. What makes Villa so good is how they press and when Watkins is out of the team you’ve got Duran, behind him you’ve got Morgan Rogers. If Rogers is injured you can play John McGinn further forward if not McGinn there you can play Jacob Ramsey in that position.

‘The one thing that all them players have is high work rate, intensity and a good press so if you bring in a flare player… you do have to have options but you’re going away from what got you to where they are now which is competitive in the Champions League and the Premier League. ‘So I would worry a little bit with that one I think he’s a class player technically but it’s just the press I would worry about.’.

With or without Felix and Duran Villa travel to Wolves on Saturday evening for their next Premier League clash having secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a 4-2 win over Celtic in midweek. As for Chelsea they host London rivals West Ham on Monday night. For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Arrow MORE: Luke Shaw still out despite returning to Man Utd training after injury.