Sources: Aston Villa to terminate ‘marvellous’ 28-y/o’s contract, Villarreal transfer agreed

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• EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey

Bertrand Traore is on his way to Villarreal after agreeing a free deadline day transfer with Aston Villa due to terminate the forward’s contract, HITC Football understands.

The 28-year-old has rarely featured under Unai Emery this season after suffering from a raft of injury problems. But Traore has proven his fitness at the Africa Cup of Nations after firing Burkina Faso into the last 16. Now, Villarreal are set to secure a 23:00 deadline-beating deal.

Traore has already reached an agreement in principle over personal terms with Villarreal as Aston Villa finalise his release. The winger’s terms with the Villa Park natives are not due to expire until June. But the Villans are set to part with Traore early and make him a free agent.

Villarreal agree on personal terms with Bertrand Traore for a free transfer

Aston Villa and Traore are currently finalising his release from the Birmingham outfit during deadline day on Thursday. Villarreal are waiting for confirmation of the 75-cap Burkina Faso skipper’s release before signing Traore in a permanent transfer, with a deal already in place.

Traore has been at Villa Park since September 2020 but is in the last five months of the four-year contract agreed to leave Lyon under Dean Smith. The forward has further only featured for a mere 41 minutes through six matches across all competitions this season under Emery.

Aston Villa will release Bertrand Traore from his contract five months early

Emery recalled Traore from a loan spell with Istanbul Basaksehir in January 2023 with Aston Villa opting against spending on their attack. He would help the Villans secure qualification for the UEFA Europa Conference League last season, too. But Traore will now join Villarreal.

Traore – who Smith called a ‘marvellous technician’ – offered two goals from eight Premier League appearances under Emery last term. But just two of his eight outings this term have come in the top-flight for nine minutes. He has not played a league game since October 29.