Now that the 2023/24 season is over, Aston Villa will soon look ahead to the summer transfer window, with one Premier League star now linked with a move to Villa Park.
The 2023/24 campaign represented Aston Villa’s first finish in the top four since 1995/96 as Unai Emery guided the Villans to Champions League qualification in his first full season at Villa Park.
It was a monumental effort by the Spaniard, who arrived in the Midlands in October 2022 when Villa were sat down in 16th in the table, rocketing the club back to where it belongs.
Perhaps the season didn’t end as hoped, as Villa recorded a 5-0 defeat to Crystal Palace on the closing day of the campaign however, with Champions League football confirmed prior to the fixture, spirits couldn’t be dampened.
Now, Emery and Monchi will have the task of recruiting smartly this summer in the bid to bolster the squad with star quality in preparation for Champions League participation, with one name already said to be on the duo’s list.
Aston Villa have spoken to Ross Barkley ahead of the summer transfer window
Speculation has already started to circulate ahead of the opening of the transfer market, with journalist Alan Nixon now shedding light on a potential target for Villa to battle for.
The journalist revealed that Ross Barkley ‘has spoken’ to Villa about a potential move as he hopes to remain in the Premier League however, the 30-year-old is awaiting a ‘firm offer’ from Manchester United.
It’s claimed that Villa have ‘made their pitch’ for the Luton Town midfielder, who suffered relegation with the Hatters this season despite making an impressive impact on his return to the Premier League.
The report focuses on the player’s hope that United will offer something attractive to follow up their interest, with Emery’s project seemingly taking a backseat to the prospect of making the move to Old Trafford.
Could Ross Barkley make a return to Aston Villa?
Having featured on loan at Villa Park over the 2020/21 season, the Villans are familiar with the midfielder’s game.
That being said, the idea of a repeat of the Everton academy graduate’s time at Villa Park will bring many nightmares, as the Englishman failed to make an impact due to injury and lacklustre form.
Dean Smith discarded the chance to sign the former Chelsea outsider at the time as his career spiralled.
Fortunately, the 30-year-old has found his feet again this season under the guidance of Luton Town boss Rob Edwards, where he contributed to nine goals in 32 apperances in the Hatters’ campaign that ended with a return to the Championship.
Described as a ‘machine’ by Cesc Fabregas for his performances at Luton, there is nothing to suggest that Barkley is nearing the end of his career, with the Spaniard admitting that he thinks the midfielder is ‘one of the best’ physical players.
It would be an interesting prospect for Barkley to return to Villa Park now that his form has been rediscovered, in what could prove to be an inexpensive and risk-free move from Emery and Monchi this summer.
While it would be unclear whether the Luton star would become a starter at Villa, the ex-England international would add the depth needed to compete strongly throughout a season in Europe and the Premier League.
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