Newspaper reports suggest that Aston Villa winger Ashley Young is a a transfer target for European champions Barcelona. Barca boss Pep Guardiola has turned his interest to Young after being put off by Bayern’s price tag on Franck Ribery.
Reports suggest that Barcelona will offer Villa £25m for Young. There is also talk about a cash+player swap, with Aliaksandr Hleb returning back to the Premiership.
If Young does depart, it will be a big blow for Villa boss Martin O’Neill, who has already lost club captain Gareth Barry to Manchester City earlier this month.
Young, who joined Villa from Watford in 2007 for £10m, has also been linked with moves to Chelsea and Tottenham. He signed a new improved deal last November that will keep him at Villa Park till 2012. Recent reports said that Young had threatened to quit if O’Neill did not make any major signings to reinforce the squad. Apart from Barry, Villa have also lost Danish defender Martin Laursen to injury.
Villa were in the running for a Champions League place last season, but their lack of squad depth ultimately told, and they were overtaken by Arsenal. Young wants Villa to maintain their challenge for a spot in Europe’s premier club competition.
Also Get the very Latest Football Transfer News, Rumours and Gossip direct to your email.