BirminghamLive’s Aston Villa reporter Ashley Preece recently conducted a Q&A during which, he answered some Villa fans’ questions on all of the latest transfer news concerning the Birmingham club.
One of the topics that the journalist addressed during this Q&A was the future of Ross Barkley, who is currently on loan at Villa Park from Premier League rivals Chelsea for the 2020/21 campaign.
Injury-prone Barkley concerns
During this Q&A, one Villa fan shared (12:58 PM) that while they appreciate Barkley’s ability, they’re unsure on whether or not the Villans should sign him on a permanent deal, as they feel he may be too injury-prone.
This may be understandable when you consider that the 27-year-old has been sidelined since November due to a hamstring injury which has forced him to sit out each of Villa’s last seven Premier League games.
What has Preece revealed about Barkley’s Aston Villa future?
Preece responded to this Villa fan (1:01 PM) and shared that they aren’t the only person concerned that Barkley may be too injury-prone, saying that this is “something Villa will be looking at, knowing Chelsea will be demanding top-dollar for Barkley in the summer.”
The journalist then went on to suggest that Dean Smith’s side might opt not to bring the midfielder to Villa Park on a permanent basis, despite Barkley reportedly being ‘keen’ to make his move to the Birmingham club permanent, declaring that Villa may have an alternative lined up, saying: “I feel Villa are looking at someone younger and fresher.”
However, Preece didn’t rule out the possibility of Barkley joining Villa from Chelsea on a permanent basis, explaining that “it’s now up to Barkley to force Villa’s hand,” indicating that his future will largely depend on how he performs between his return from injury and the end of the season, and if he can stay fit.
Should Villa sign Barkley?
YES, SIGN BARKLEY
NO, GO FOR THE YOUNGER OPTION
So, it will be interesting to see if Barkley can convince the Aston Villa decision-makers to try to make his transfer permanent at the end of his loan spell, but if the Villans do have a “younger and fresher” alternative lined up, as Preece has hinted, then perhaps it would make more sense for the club to move for that player if they are less likely to get sidelined for an extended period as Barkley has.
In other news, many Aston Villa fans have been fuming over Jordan Jarrett Bryan’s claim on Jack Grealish.
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