Aston Villa

Aston Villa eye up Brentford defender Barbet

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OPINION

Aston Villa could hit the jackpot if they sign Yoann Barbet on a free transfer in the summer, with the defender currently in the final months of his contract at Brentford.

Barbet, 25, has told football.london that he has been in talks with the Bees about extending his stay at Griffin Park past the end of the season, however it seems as though it might be tough for him to sign a new deal judging by the latest news from Italy.

Calcio Mercato has reported via their website that Aston Villa and Newcastle United are interested in signing Barbet this summer with his future at Brentford yet to be resolved.

Dean Smith is bound to know a lot about the French powerhouse having managed him at Griffin Park before he was hired by the Villans earlier this season.

And it seems like Smith might go back to raid his former club when the next transfer window opens to take advantage of them not trying down Barbet to a new deal sooner.

The former Bordeaux centre-back could be a colossus of a signing in the summer if Villa were able to snap him up, especially if they are able to strike a deal without having to agree a transfer fee with their Championship rivals.

Barbet has been a key player for the Bees this season, appearing 35 times across all competitions, playing as both a left-back and a centre-back.

With Tyrone Mings only on loan at Villa Park, it might be a good idea to sign a permanent replacement if he goes back to Bournemouth in the summer.

Villa fans have been crying out for the club to ditch their approach to signing so many players on loan, and Barbet could be a permanent fixture at Villa Park for many years if a deal is done.

Aston Villa fans should be very excited by the Frenchman’s potential arrival at the end of the season.

If Smith fails to win promotion from the Championship, then the 25-year-old is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the push for promotion in 2019/20.

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