Ross Barkley set for Champions League chance as Aston Villa close on transfer

Aston Villa are looking to land the services of Ross Barkley with the midfielder impressing on his return to the Premier League despite Luton suffering relegation

Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Ross Barkley as they begin preparing their squad for the Champions League.

The midfielder has just suffered relegation from the Premier League with Luton and is now poised to return to Villa Park, where he spent a spell on loan four years ago when he was on Chelsea's books. Barkley had been playing in Ligue 1 with Nice before returning to England in the summer.

Villa have enjoyed a rapid rise with Unai Emery at the helm and are looking to bolster their midfield options ahead of a season in Europe, which places more demands on players. Barkley himself has enjoyed a promising season with the Hatters and is keen to remain in the top flight.

He has said: “I want to play in the Premier League. I want to play in Europe again … I feel like for the next three years maybe I’ll still be in my prime years.”

Barkley is still under contract at Kenilworth Road, according to The Guardian, but Villa can snap him up for a relatively minimal fee. Last year they seized on relegated Leicester by landing Youri Tielemans, who had proven himself as a Premier League performer.

Despite their relegation back to the Championship Luton had been hoping to keep the core of their squad together. Rob Edwards recently said on Barkley: "We’ve had a chat. The fans showed their love for Ross, he’s adored by everyone here, we will see what happens. He’s contracted to the club and I expect to see him in pre-season.

"We want to keep the majority of the group together to attack the league. We have no financial worries at all so we don’t have to sell anybody. It’s inevitable there will be change – that happens. It has to be right for us, first of all."

Villa will have to conduct their summer business whilst being aware of profitability and sustainability rules. Despite qualifying for the Champions League and landing more income their latest accounts, covering 2022-23, posted a £119.6m loss following their continued investment in their squad.

Emery is understood to want two midfielders, a full-back and a forward. Chelsea ’s Conor Gallagher, who has been loaned out in the past, is on their radar. The Englishman has often skippered the Blues but has been linked with an exit as his contract continues to wind down.

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