Aston Villa need to act fast if they want to secure free transfer for Barbet

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Aston Villa target Yoann Barbet is in talks with Brentford over a new contract with his current deal expiring at the end of the season, according to the Birmingham Mail.

They report that Dean Smith is keen to engineer a reunion with the defender he managed at Griffin Park and he could get him on a free if he doesn’t choose to extend.

Barbet is a versatile, solid defender who would be a real asset to a Villa side who have a lack of defensive depth which has been a real issue at times this season.

And the fact that he could get a player he knows so well on a free is a real bonus for a club whose financial situation remains uncertain.

Smith needs to put his stamp on this Villa side this summer – and he would love it if that was in the Premier League after his maiden season.

Getting a player in that he knows so well in a position that needs strengthening for free would be a real coup for Villa, but they need to act fast before he secures a new deal that is only going to push his asking price in one direction.