Ross Barkley has agreed a two-year contract with Aston Villa that includes a one-year extension option, sources have told Football Insider.
There is believed to be no transfer fee involved in the deal as the English midfielder’s Luton Town contract was a one-year agreement with a 12-month extension option, but a clause was included in the deal allowing him to leave for free if the club were relegated.
Multiple top Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United, have registered an interest in the 30-year-old, but he is now expected to join Unai Emery’s side this summer.
Ross Barkley to add to Aston Villa midfield options
Barkley has revived his career over the past year following several impressive performances since joining Luton after leaving French club Nice on a free last summer.
The former Villa loanee registered five goals and four assists in 32 Premier League appearances across the campaign despite playing in a deeper role for Rob Edwards’s side.
Barkley is keen on playing in the Champions League next season and the Villans’ fourth-placed finish has given them the edge over the other interested parties.
That clause has now become active after the Hatters were unable to retain their top-flight status in their first season in the Premier League, prompting the Villans to pursue a deal to sign him.
