£18m rising star hints at unpopular Aston Villa transfer exit as Unai Emery plan hits snag

Enzo Barrenechea has hinted he would like to transfer away from Aston Villa this summer to remain in Spain following a hugely successful loan spell at Valencia.

The Villans acquired Barrenechea’s services last summer as part of the mega £18 million swap deal that saw Douglas Luiz leave for Juventus and promising winger Samuel Iling-Junior arrive through the doors at Villa Park.

Unai Emery made little hesitation to let Iling-Junior leave on loan to Bologna - later recalling him in January and sending him to Middlesbrough - but the head coach was more reluctant in allowing Barrenechea to depart. Emery was eager to make use of the defensive midfielder, at first rejecting a loan approach from Valencia, but later changed his mind in the best interests of Barrenechea’s development.

That turned out to be a superb decision as the 23-year-old has progressed brilliantly in La Liga this season. A shining light in what has been a tough campaign for Valencia in a surprise relegation battle, Barrenechea has played 25 times, predominantly in a midfield double pivot alongside Javi Guerra.

The move may have inadvertently swayed Barrenechea from wanting to be part of Villa’s project, however, as he’s flourished in La Liga and already has an adoration for Valencia. Emery’s plans to make use of Barrenechea next season could therefore be scuppered.

When Barrenechea was quizzed by DAZN if he hopes to remain in Spain, he said: "Well, without a doubt, although my transfer belongs to Aston Villa. I fell in love with Valencia from the first day. I love everything about it, the club, the city, having my family, the way the people treat me, and that adds a lot.

“Hopefully at some point, if it has to be next year or whenever it has to be, I will stay in Spain. The truth is that it is a very nice league, very competitive. The truth is that I am gaining experience with this league and I like it a lot."

Aston Villa agree deals with two prospects

In other news, Villa have secured the futures of two promising players, one of whom has already tasted plenty of senior football.

Rory Wilson, a highly-rated Scotland youth international striker, has finally put pen to paper on a new contract after a year of refusing to do so. The 19-year-old, former of Rangers, has scored 37 goals in 54 appearances for Villa at youth level. His non-professional terms were set to expire on June 30 but he’s now tied down until next summer.

Mark Harrison, Villa’s academy manager, said: "‘We are delighted to have agreed a new contract with Rory. He has obviously got a proven track record of scoring goals at Academy level and we firmly believe that this will continue at senior level.

“Rory has always been very committed to his development and has shown that consistently throughout his time with us. He has undoubted potential, so we look forward to supporting him into transitioning into a first team player at Aston Villa.”

The other new deal has been awarded to versatile midfielder Lamare Bogarde, who has extended his Villa Park stay following strong transfer interest from abroad. Albeit not a regular starter, the 21-year-old has proved to be a useful utility player across a variety of competitions.

Bogarde, capable of playing in defensive midfield, at centre-back or at right-back, was set to enter the last 12 months of his previous contract but will now stay with Villa for the long term. The exact length of his new deal isn’t disclosed but the main thing is his immediate future is no longer in doubt.