Villa are reportedly interested in landing Barbet from Dean Smith’s former side Brentford.
Aston Villa are reportedly targeting Brentford defender Yoann Barbet in a move that would see Dean Smith reunited with the Frenchman at Villa Park – and that could boost West Ham United’s reported January transfer hunt.
The Express & Star claim Villa are after 25-year-old Barbet, who joined Brentford in the summer of 2015 – just months before Smith left League One side Walsall to move to Griffin Park.
Villa are in desperate need of centre-backs next month, after Steve Bruce left the side with just Axel Tuanzebe and James Chester as recognised options in the heart of their defence. Tommy Elphick joined Hull City on loan.
Their lack of cover showed on Saturday, with right-back James Bree deputising for Manchester United loanee Tuanzebe. Leeds came from two down to beat Smith’s men 3-2.
But the signing of Barbet would solve that lack of cover, and perhaps give Villa a new centre-back pairing for the second half of the season. If the Midlands outfit land Barbet from Brentford, though, they may cool their interest in Gary Cahill.
The Telegraph claim Villa are interested in luring veteran Cahill back to Villa Park, where he started his career. It is also said that West Ham are keen to sign the powerful England international.
Cahill’s £100,000-a-week contract (Spotrac) is set to expire at the end of the season, and Chelsea are willing to let him leave in January on loan. If Villa sign Barbet, a return to Villa Park for Cahill looks less likely.
That could give West Ham a boost in their hunt for Cahill, as they look to provide cover at centre-back for Issa Diop and Fabian Balbuena. Angelo Ogbonna is a reported target for both Bologna and Valencia in January.
Surely if Villa sign Barbet, then, West Ham could have a much easier run at Cahill without the temptation of returning to his former club in the January window.
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