Daniel Feliciano

Thu 29 June 2023 17:40, UK

Aston Villa are still interested in competing with West Ham to sign Harvey Barnes despite splashing the cash to sign Pau Torres, according to Ryan Taylor.

The Hammers have identified the Leicester City winger as a prime target for the summer transfer window, but face competition from Tottenham and Aston Villa for his signature.

With a reported £50m asking price it’s going to be a tough battle to seal a deal for the 25-year-old but despite spending £35m to sign Torres from Villarreal, Villa remain in the race for another mega-money signing.

“Pau Torres set to become Aston Villa’s second summer signing after Youri Tielemans,” he wrote on his personal Twitter account (29 June).

“Fee nowhere near £55m release clause. Package should be closer to £35m although awaiting confirmation on final details.

“Harvey Barnes still admired but West Ham and Tottenham also in race.”

Challenge

West Ham have their targets lined up for the summer window and it seems evident that Barnes is near the top of that list.

But until the Declan Rice transfer money from Arsenal has cleared it’s going to be difficult to start spending, and that means other teams have an advantage when it comes to getting deals done.

Villa have already made two signings and they also want Barnes, so the likelihood is that they’re already in talks to get that done and are getting a headstart on us.

West Ham have to start making their moves now, knowing other clubs are circling for their targets if they want to ensure they can give David Moyes his top targets to avoid another relegation battle next season.

With Europa League football to play too we need depth and quality, and Barnes provides that. We just have to convince him that the London Stadium is the best place for him.

In other West Ham news, one star wants to quit the club after David Moyes decision.