Aston Villa Exclusive: Ross Barkley deal agreed and second signing lined up
Aston Villa have reached a “full agreement” with Ross Barkley and he will complete a move from Luton Town in the next days, sources have told Football Insider.
The Midlands giants are working on a deal to make the midfielder, 30, their first summer signing and are also working on a second senior capture over the coming weeks as they look to get some of their transfer business done early.
Football Insider exclusively broke the news last Saturday (18th May) that Villa had opened talks to re-sign Barkley after Unai Emery gave the deal the green light.
Discussions have subsequently progressed and it is believed that a full agreement is now in place following a breakthrough in talks.
Barkley is keen to play in the Champions League next season and Villa’s fourth-placed finish has given them the edge over many rival clubs in pursuit of his signature.
Multiple top Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, have registered an interest but, barring an unlikely late collapse in talks, he will sign for Villa imminently.
Aston Villa handed new advantage in Ross Barkley race
After scoring five goals and picking four assists in 32 Premier League games for Luton this season, playing in a deeper role, the former Villa loanee has turned his career around following some difficult years.
Luton boss Rob Edwards has refused to comment on the length of the midfielder’s contract amid questions over its length following his move last summer.
Barkley was signed on a free transfer after a mixed spell playing for Nice in Ligue 1.
Speculation over his deal comes after Andros Townsend, who signed on a similar deal when he arrived at Kenilworth Road last summer, was handed an extension to take him beyond the initial one-year deal.
Villa are also working on other major signings, with the boost of the Champions League providing sporting director Monchi and manager Emery with a huge kitty for wages and transfers.
In other news, Aston Villa have landed record-breaking £160m windfall.
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