Aston Villa dealt January transfer ‘blow’ as Barcelona ‘consider’ offering swap deal

It has been a promising couple of weeks for Aston Villa in their bid to bounce back from a disappointing start to the campaign.

Villa defeated Manchester United in Unai Emery’s debut on the sidelines, and they managed to push the Red Devils in the Carabao Cup, although they eventually lost 4-2. Villa then went on to defeat Brighton 2-1 away from home, and that result meant the Lions went into the World Cup break in 12th place, within three points of Chelsea in eighth.

In the meantime, we have rounded up all the latest news and transfer rumours surrounding Villa Park.

Luiz latest

Barcelona are said to be willing to offer up recent signing Franck Kessie in a bid to land Villa star Douglas Luiz.

Luiz has recently signed a new contract with Villa, ending interest from Arsenal, but Barca are still said to be interested as Xavi Hernandez looks to add depth to his midfield.

According to Calciomercatoweb, the Catalan giants want to offer Kessie plus cash to land Luiz in the January transfer window. Kessie was signed on a free transfer in the summer, but he has featured sparingly, battling an injury issue, and he has returned to home country the Ivory Coast for treatment over the course of the World Cup.

Hazard update

Real Madrid star Eden Hazard says he won’t be leaving Real Madrid in January amid links with Villa.

“In January it is impossible, because I have family and I like the city,” he told Marca. “But in summer it is possible that I go. I have one more year on my contract and it’s the club’s decision. If the club tells me ‘Eden, thanks for four years, but you have to go’, I have to accept it because it’s normal.

“But I would like to play more, show more that I can play, that I am a good player.”