Aston Villa are basking in the glow of one of the most successful seasons in their history as they now aim to continue their progress under Unai Emery.
They were crowned Europa League winners last week and on Sunday sealed fourth place in the Premier League with a 2-1 win over Manchester City, in what was Pep Guardiola's final game in charge at the Etihad Stadium.
Villa will have a number of players competing at the World Cup this summer before the squad gets back together for pre-season training in a couple of months' time.
Emery will hope to have some new additions in his squad as Villa return to the Champions League after a one-season absence.
Aston Villa plot Harvey Barnes move
Harvey Barnes celebrating scoring against Manchester United
According to the Daily Mail, Newcastle United forward Harvey Barnes is among Villa's targets this summer as they look to inject more pace into their attack.
Barnes, who is on a reported £80,000-a-week at Newcastle, joined the Magpies for £38million from Leicester City in 2023. He is described as a 'proven creator', with 16 goals and six assists in all competitions during the 2025/26 season. Brendan Rodgers was the man to bring him through at Leicester and called him a "really gifted player".
Barnes, 28, is entering the prime of his career and would not come cheap. However, Newcastle have failed to qualify for any form of European football and the appeal of playing in the Champions League could influence his desire to move.
He would also be closer to his family, who are still based in the Midlands.
However, Villa themselves will still be required to sell this summer in order to bolster their recruitment funds.
They are said to be open to selling Morgan Rogers but would only listen to offers in the region of £80million as it would give them more wiggle room to sign their top targets.
Anthony Gordon future could impact Harvey Barnes
anthony gordon newcastle united
Villa could be scuppered in their attempts to sign Barnes by his Newcastle teammate Anthony Gordon.
The ex-Everton man has been strongly linked to Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich and if he departs for Germany, Newcastle are less likely to sanction an exit for Barnes.
Newcastle themselves face a financial balancing act this summer, heightened by their failure to qualify for Europe. A bottom-half finish will also return less Premier League prize money than hoped.
Villa will have space in their forward line for Barnes without selling Rogers. Jadon Sancho is set to depart the club at the end of his loan, with a permanent deal unlikely to be agreed for the forward. He is set to become a free agent as his Manchester United contract expires next month.
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Aston Villa are set to have an increased transfer budget this summer after winning the Europa League