Aston Villa agree free transfer as Ross Barkley contract details emerge – sources
Ross Barkley has agreed a two-year contract with Aston Villa that includes a one-year extension option, sources have told Football Insider.
There is believed to be no transfer fee involved in the deal as the English midfielder’s Luton Town contract was a one-year agreement with a 12-month extension option, but a clause was included in the deal allowing him to leave for free if the club were relegated.
That clause has now become active after the Hatters were unable to retain their top-flight status in their first season in the Premier League, prompting the Villans to pursue a deal to sign him.
Football Insider exclusively broke the news on 18 May that Villa had opened talks with Barkley before revealing on 25 May a “full agreement” was in place to take him to Villa Park.
Multiple top Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, have registered an interest in the 30-year-old, but he is now expected to join Unai Emery’s side this summer.
Ross Barkley to add to Aston Villa midfield options
Barkley has revived his career over the past year following several impressive performances since joining Luton after leaving French club Nice on a free last summer.
The former Villa loanee registered five goals and four assists in 32 Premier League appearances across the campaign despite playing in a deeper role for Rob Edwards’s side.
Barkley is keen on playing in the Champions League next season and the Villans’ fourth-placed finish has given them the edge over the other interested parties.
Football Insider revealed earlier this month a box-to-box midfielder was one of the three priority signings Emery had earmarked for the upcoming transfer window.
It is believed the West Midlands club are also working on a second senior capture in the coming weeks as they look to get their transfer business done early at Villa Park.
In other news, Aston Villa have landed record-breaking £160m windfall.
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