Aston Villa manager Unai Emery plans to take a look at midfielder Enzo Barrenechea in pre-season before deciding what to do with him next season.
That’s according to Radio Marca, relayed by Estadio Deportivo, who report on the player as Valencia hope to bring him back after a successful loan spell this season.
They explain that several teams in Spain are eyeing up Barrenechea, including Real Betis, who would have an advantage over Valencia as they can potentially offer European football.
Marca explains that it will all depend on what Aston Villa do with the midfielder. The current plan is for him to train under Emery in pre-season, after which he will make a decision on him.
If he doesn’t want to keep him the plan is to sell outright and recover the €8m paid to sign him from Juventus in the summer. Another loan would only be a ‘Plan C’ at this point.
A move to a club playing in Europe would be preferable if he does leave on loan as well. Aston Villa believe this will help him gain extra experience and ‘gain international recognition’ for a future transfer too.
That would rule out Valencia and hand an advantage to the likes of Betis, although their participation in Europe is not guaranteed yet. Barrenechea, for his part, is willing to hold out as he wants to see if Atlético de Madrid made a move for him.
