Transfer Centre

Aston Villa 'reach full agreement to re-sign 30-year-old midfielder'

By Carter White | 28 May 2024

Aston Villa are reportedly on the brink of signing Luton Town's Ross Barkley, with the Villans reaching a "full agreement" with the midfielder.

Aston Villa have reportedly reached a full agreement with Ross Barkley over his potential transfer from Luton Town.

The 30-year-old made the switch to Kenilworth Road on a free transfer during the summer of 2023, looking to reignite his career following a difficult couple of seasons.

During the 2022-23 campaign, Barkley played on 28 occasions across all competitions for Nice, however the midfielder's future was not in French football.

Handed another shot at Premier League success by Luton, the former England international stepped up to the plate, netting five goals and providing four assists in 32 league appearances.

Despite his best efforts, the Hatters could not avoid an immediate return to the Championship, finishing 18th in the top-flight standings, six points behind Nottingham Forest in the safety of 17th.

Luton Town midfielder Ross Barkley in action during February 2024. © Reuters

Villa 'reach agreement to sign Luton's Barkley'

According to Football Insider, Luton man Barkley has taken a significant step to securing Premier League football for himself in back-to-back campaigns.

The report states that the 30-year-old and Villa have reached a "full agreement" over his transfer to the Second City during the summer window.

It is understood that Barkley was highlighted as a potential incoming earlier this month, before Villans head coach Unai Emery approved of the deal.

Villa were not the only party interested in the services of the ex-Everton youngster, though, with Saudi-backed Newcastle United also big admirers of the midfielder.

Nevertheless, it is believed that Villa have won the race for Barkley, who will be looking to add to the 24 competitive appearances that he made for the club over the course of a loan spell during the 2020-21 term.

General view inside Aston Villa's Villa Park before the match on January 8, 2023 © Reuters

The pull of Champions League

With multiple clubs chasing the signature of Barkley in the off-season, the midfielder had a choice to make in terms of where his long-term future would lie.

After impressing in the Premier League this season, no one would expect the 33-cap international to stay put at Kenilworth Road and fight for Luton in the Championship.

It is believed that the pull of Champions League football sealed the deal in Barkley's mind as he looks set to return to Villa Park on a permanent deal.

After finishing fourth in the Premier League with 68 points from 38 matches, Emery's troops have confirmed their spot in the first edition of the revamped Champions League.