Aston Villa are reportedly leading the race to sign Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes this summer as we prepare for a busy transfer window.
While Villa did make moves in January, the summer is seen as Unai Emery’s first real opportunity to make significant changes to the squad to improve us and mould the group into his own.
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In turn, speculation has already been rife in recent weeks as we’ve been paired with an interest in various touted targets, but according to The Independent, we are now leading the race to land Barnes at the end of the season.
Much will likely depend on the outcome of the Premier League campaign this weekend as Leicester continue to hope to avoid relegation, but should they drop down to the Championship, it could arguably make it a lot easier to prise Barnes away from the club and for a favourable fee.
The 25-year-old has bagged 12 goals and three assists in 39 appearances for the Foxes this season, with 44 goals and 32 assists in 186 outings in total since he made his first-team debut.
Combined with his work ethic and all-round characteristics and attributes, it could be a sensible signing for Emery to bolster his attacking options moving forward, but time will tell if that is a move that will be considered a priority heading into the summer or if we are also considering other options too.
The report adds that Villa are capable of putting together a ‘strong package’ to get a deal done, and so it remains to be seen if an agreement can be reached with both the club and the player to get a move secured.
Emery will certainly be looking to add more firepower to his side with the likes of Leon Bailey, Philippe Coutinho and Bertrand Traore perhaps not offering enough consistently to cement their places in his long-term plans.
That said, Jacob Ramsey has thrived on the left side of our midfield this season under the Spaniard, and so it will be interesting to see if he faces additional competition next year as we look to add quality and depth in all positions to be able to compete on multiple fronts moving forward.
Barnes ( if he chooses to come to AVFC) will certainly get along with Ramsey, who himself has had a great season, and is doing well too on theinternational stage playing for England U21’s, Plus every other Villa player over this last season has played superbly, and the improvement under Emery is there to be seen. They have raced up the league in super quick time whilst working under Unai Emery, and got where they are, perhaps a year before expected if truth be told, but one things certain, its been no fluke, and having now got to 7th position, Europe awaits for them fingers crossed, well know for certain this coming Sunday after the Brighton Game being held at Villa Park? But one things certain, I’m sure Villa under Unai Emery’s guidance, can and will progress further still come next season, and what he can do with Barnes is exactly what he’s already started with every single squad player, and the improvement is there to be seen, plus results don’t lie either. One things certain, Harvery Barnes will be a far better player for the move to Aston Villa, why because UE is an insperational manager of men on a training pitch and yes, during games too. What he’s done for the entire Villa squad since his arrival is simply outstanding, and yes, just a few months ago after Gerrard was sacked thankfully, Emery arrived, and has done exactly what HE wanted and already has started to turn AVFC around. And what I can see is no matter who comes in during the next transfer window (and its suggested there will be quite a few to strengthen the entire squad) Each and every player at the club within the first team squad will benefit from firstly joining Aston Villa F.C. at this very exciting time, and secondly, have the good fortune of having such a great coach and his backroom staff, on hand to transform the player into a far better player, with hard work and commitment. Yes, expectations are high at the club, and not just in the league either, but hopefully we will be able to make our mark in Europe too? Ok, all comes down to Sunday, and if we get the better of Brighton? Barnes we know as plenty of talent, but if he comes to the Villa, lets see just how good he can be come next season & beyond….UTV.