Aston Villa are reportedly prepared to cash in on midfielder Enzo Barrenechea during the summer transfer window.
In July, Barrenechea was included in the deal that took Douglas Luiz to Juventus, the Argentine moving in the opposite direction in a separate transfer worth in the region of €11m (£9.3m).
While the inclusion of Barrenechea was partly due to both clubs needing to meet their relevant financial regulations, there was still hope that the player could progress into a first-team player in the West Midlands.
Within two months, though, the 23-year-old was allowed to make the loan switch to Valencia where he was expected to earn regular first-team football.
According to The Athletic, Barrenechea has made such an impression in Spain that Villa are contemplating a sale without him ever representing them in a competitive game.
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Barrenechea starring in Spain
The defensive-minded midfielder has made a total of 18 starts and three substitute outings in La Liga, contributing one goal and two assists.
Most notably, though, Barrenechea has played a starring role since Carlos Corberan left West Bromwich Albion to become Valencia's new head coach in December.
Taking over a struggling side, Corberan has recorded six wins, four draws and four defeats in all competitions, Valencia having recently moved just outside of the La Liga relegation zone.
As per the report, a decision is still to be made on Barrenechea's Villa future, yet it is claimed that Valencia will be keen to sign him permanently should they stay in Spain's top flight.
From Villa's standpoint, they may have to work hard to convince Barrenechea that he has a future at the club given how he was farmed out on loan so soon after last summer's arrival.
Nevertheless, Villa's ongoing battle with the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules may dictate that having any opportunity to sell Barrenechea for a profit may prove too tempting to turn down.
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Where would Barrenechea sit in Villa pecking order?
At this point in time, Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana and John McGinn will all be viewed ahead of Barrenechea in the midfield pecking order.
Ross Barkley has also been a regular option under Unai Emery when fit, but he is now 31 years of age with a small window to generate a fee for him in the future.
Given that Barkley was signed on a free transfer, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that Villa choose to sell him for a profit, rather than Barrenechea.
That said, with Barkley offering something different to a squad that already features several combative midfielders, Barrenechea may still miss out.
Darren Plant
