Aston Villa are close to signing Enzo Barrenechea as part of the deal to sell Douglas Luiz to Juventus after failing to land Weston McKennie.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa are now closing in on bringing Enzo Barrenechea as part of the agreement with Juventus for Douglas Luiz. The 23-year-old Argentine has become the best alternative to American midfielder Weston McKennie, who will not join Unai Emery’s side.
Aston Villa to complete Enzo Barrenechea agreement
Juventus made surprise headway in their pursuit of Douglas Luiz, as they are close to sealing an agreement for the Brazilian by paying a specific cash fee and including two players in exchange. Such a deal helps Unai Emery’s side manoeuvre through their troubles with PSR regulations and bring the necessary funds to balance their finances.
Aston Villa were close to signing Samuel Iling-Junior and Weston McKennie as part of the deal to sell Luiz. But the American appears to be out of the picture for now. There have been complications in negotiations with the Juventus midfielder, which has led to him withdrawing from the deal.
Juventus have not given up and have offered Enzo Barrenechea as part of the deal in place of McKennie, and it appears Aston Villa are open to the idea. The midfielder, who spent the previous season on loan at Frosinone last season, made 36 league appearances for the strugglers previous season.
His profile as a central midfielder who can also play the defensive role will bring some value to Villa, although they would have liked McKennie better for his big experience. However, Barrenechea seems like the player who will join Villa alongside Iling-Junior as Luiz makes his move to Turin.
Aston Villa mindful of FFP regulations
While Villa are selling Luiz to Juventus, it has got plenty to do with the PSR problems that have been looming over their shoulders for some time now. Villa are one of the five or six Premier League clubs needing to sell and raise funds before June 30. The Brazilian’s sale will have brought some balance, while they are also in talks with Chelsea to sell teenage striker Omari Kellyman in a reported £19 million deal.
They have, in turn, agreed to purchase Ian Maatsen from Chelsea in a deal worth £37.5 million mark, as such moves will benefit PSR-hit sides like the Blues and Villa. Those issues may not be a part of Villa’s spending for the upcoming season, but these deals like Maatsen might only get registered post-July 1.
