Aston Villa set to sign Luton midfielder
Villa are increasingly confident of securing the signing of Ross Barkley from Luton.
The 30-year-old midfielder has interest from a number of clubs but it is Villa who are currently at the front of the queue.
Barkley has been offered a three-year contract to make a permanent return to Villa, having previously played for the club while on loan from Chelsea during the 2020-21 season.
The England international, who joined Luton on a free transfer last summer, is believed to have a release clause in his contract and Villa view the signing as good value in a summer when they must be mindful of the Premier League and Uefa’s financial fair play rules.
Atletico Madrid defender Mario Hermoso, who is due to become a free agent, is another player who has been tracked while Villa are among several clubs keeping tabs on Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher.
Striker Jhon Duran could depart, while the club will also consider offers for centre-back Diego Carlos. Cameron Archer will return to Villa Park following Sheffield United’s relegation from the Premier League.
Boss Unai Emery has warned the club must be “intelligent” in the market as he looks to build a squad capable of competing in the Premier League and Champions League.
Speaking before the end of the season, he said: “Financially, being in the Champions League is better than not. Our budget could be better.
“But we have to manage at the beginning the fair play for this season. Then we can build.
“I think we can be intelligent and build a strong team to compete in the Champions League, the Premier League and the cups.”
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