Primeira Liga giants SL Benfica are reportedly keen on signing 24-year-old Argentine midfielder Enzo Barrenechea from Aston Villa in the summer transfer window.
According to a report by Record, as relayed by Sport Witness, Enzo Barrenechea is the subject of interest from SL Benfica. The Portuguese heavyweights are keen on bolstering their first-team squad by signing a versatile midfielder in the summer transfer window. So, the 24-year-old Aston Villa outcast has emerged as a target for the Primeira Liga outfit.
The Eagles are intensifying their efforts to sign the Villa Maria native, with the move “at full speed ahead”. Benfica will aim to seal the deal for Barrenechea’s signature this week, with Aston Villa demanding around €10 million to part ways with him in the summer transfer window.
Enzo Barrenechea and his Aston Villa woes
Enzo Barrenechea has struggled for stability since turning professional. The 24-year-old midfielder spent most of his formative years in Argentina but graduated from the youth division at Juventus. However, he could not establish a foothold in the first-team squad at Juventus and joined Aston Villa last summer.
The West Midlands club immediately loaned the Argentine midfielder to Valencia, and he amassed over 2,000 minutes of game time across 33 appearances in all competitions while chipping in with one goal and two assists. Barrenechea’s loan spell with Valencia has ended, and he will soon return to Aston Villa for the pre-season campaign. However, he does not feature in Unai Emery’s plans.
Will Barrenechea move to Portugal soon?
Enzo Barrenechea’s European adventure will likely continue with a stint in Portugal, with SL Benfica keen on securing his services in the summer transfer window. The Portuguese club’s interest in the Aston Villa outcast is understandable, considering Orkun Kokcu faces an uncertain future at Estadio da Luz.
Recent reports have linked the Turkish international with Premier League bigwigs, and a summer exit is on the cards. In addition, Florentino Luis faces an uncertain future at SL Benfica. So, Barrenechea has emerged as a viable target for Benfica, with the Primeira Liga giants keen on sealing the deal as soon as possible.
Aston Villa will demand around €10 million to part ways with the 24-year-old Argentine midfielder. With Benfica moving at “full speed ahead”, an agreement between the two clubs may be on the cards.