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Brentford’s Yoann Barbet is currently in discussions to renew his contract, according to Football.London.
He’s a player Aston Villa were understood to have been interested in adding to their squad in January but with the Frenchman’s future still unclear, should they revive their interest in the defender?
What’s the word?
Barbet is set to become a free agent this summer with his contract at the Bees expiring at the end of the season. However, the Frenchman has claimed that talks are ongoing to keep him with the London based club.
The ex-Bordeaux man told Football.London: “We’ve been talking but there is nothing at the moment.”
Villa have had a prior interest in the 25-year-old, with the player speaking about rumours of a possible move to the club just a matter of months ago. However, loan moves for Kortney Hause and Tyrone Mings were preferred at the time.
No verdict has been reached between Brentford and Barbet yet but it’s unclear as to whether Villa are still monitoring him.
Perfect Mings alternative
The loanee from Bournemouth has been an instant hit in the Midlands but the player has been linked with Southampton, according to the Sunday Mirror, (17/03, page 72), via HITC.
Although his loss would be incredibly difficult to deal with, Barbet offers a very good alternative. Mings would likely come at a hefty price and therefore the Bees centre-back would represent far better business for the club.
Villa have a number of central defenders on loan, with Axel Tuanzebe and Hause both not permanent members of the squad either. Therefore the club would struggle for numbers in defence if all three were to depart.
Barbet has been part of a Bees defensive line that has conceded four goals less than Villa this term, despite sitting eight places below them. The fact he’s made more challenges per game than any defender currently at Villa also bodes particularly well.
Dean Smith has worked with the French defender before, having previously been the manager of Brentford and as a result, knows the player better than most. Potentially costing nothing, he would be the ideal replacement if they fail to land Mings.