Sources: Aston Villa discuss Ross Barkley clause after Sheffield United reveal
Aston Villa are discussing the possibility of triggering the one-year extension clause in Ross Barkley’s contract, sources have told Football Insider.
The midfielder’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the season, but the Premier League giants hold the option of an extra year in their favour, and could decide to trigger that in the coming months.
Football Insider recently revealed that Sheffield United have registered their interest in signing Barkley on loan this month, but sources now say that Villa’s injury issues in the midfield have put any chance of a move in danger.
Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana are both currently sidelined with ongoing issues, and that has left Unai Emery with limited options in the middle of the park.
As a result, the second city outfit are prepared to stand in the way of any potential exit for Barkley, and could even move to keep the 32-year-old around for an additional year.
Aston Villa injury crisis seals Ross Barkley’s fate in January
Barkley hasn’t featured heavily for Aston Villa so far this season, as he has played just 115 minutes of Premier League action across the campaign.
The former Everton man enjoyed some promising cameos from the bench earlier in the season, but has been unable to feature since 30 November, due to a knee problem that has kept him out of the team.
Aston Villa had been contemplating the possibility of allowing the veteran to leave in the mid-season window, but a string of injuries has now put paid to that.
While Onana could potentially return to the fold in the next few weeks, Kamara is expected to be facing a prolonged period on the sidelines, and John McGinn was also forced off through injury against Everton on Sunday.
Emery has seen his depth in the centre of the midfield evaporate before his eyes in recent weeks, with Youri Tielemans and Lamare Bogarde now his only senior options to play at the heart of the team.
As a result, any possibility of Barkley heading out of the door has now been put firmly on hold, given that he could be in line to receive minutes if the situation hasn’t improved by the time he returns.
Villa face imminent Triston Rowe decision
Football Insider revealed last week that Blackburn have made an offer for Villa youngster Triston Rowe, who is currently on loan at French second-tier side Annecy.
The 19-year-old’s season-long deal in Ligue 2 contains a break clause that could allow his move to be cut short when it becomes active.
Several Championship clubs are showing interest in the defender, but Blackburn are the only one to table a concrete offer so far.
Aston Villa are not keen to part ways with Rowe on a permanent basis and would instead prefer a loan agreement.
The Premier League side look set to face a decision in the coming weeks as to where they see Rowe’s immediate future.
They could opt for him to see out the remainder of his time in France and re-assess his situation at the end of the campaign, or they could choose to activate the break clause if they feel that a Championship stint would be more beneficial for him.