Aston Villa boss Unai Emery attended Valencia’s meeting with Athletic Bilbao on Sunday, reportedly to take a closer look at loanee Enzo Barrenechea.
The La Liga side lost their final home game of the campaign, but it’s been a productive loan stint for the 23-year-old midfielder, as he’s made 32 appearances this season having established himself as a key figure in the side.
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Barrenechea will have gained plenty of experience, matured and improved as a player through having a more prominent role, and so he’ll hope to return to Villa this summer a better player and prepared for the next step in his career.
The Argentine talent has impressed and looks to be an ideal fit for our system and style of play with the quality he’s shown in a deeper midfield pivot, and having made a positive impression last summer during pre-season with us after his move from Juventus, it does feel as though Villa have a real prospect within our ranks.
However, a decision will be needed on his future this summer as we have plenty of competition for places in that area of the squad with the likes of Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana, and so he either climbs the pecking order or risks seeing the momentum and progression that he’s enjoyed over the past year dissipate.
According to Relevo’s Nacho Sanchis, Emery was at the Mestalla on Sunday, with the primary reason given being to watch Barrenechea in action ahead of an important decision in the summer.
He has previously reported that Villa will bring the midfielder back into the fold for pre-season with the idea of assessing him closely before making a call on the next move, with Valencia said to be positioned to take him back on another loan if he’s available on the market.
What is clear from these recent reports is that Emery and Villa are taking a very serious and meticulous approach to Barrenechea’s future as it’s a big call given he could be a stalwart of the side for years to come if he’s impressed enough to earn an opportunity, and that in turn could impact our overall transfer strategy this summer.
Barrenechea finished the game with an 85 percent pass completion rate, winning five of his seven duels, while providing an important defensive shield in front of the backline in a solid outing. Time will tell if it will all be enough to convince Emery to keep him at Villa next season.
