Aston Villa manager Dean Smith has been public about his desire to sign a centre-back, with the Midlands outfit lacking depth in defence following Tommy Elphick’s loan move to Hull City.
Smith hinted at bringing Micah Richards back from the cold, recalling Elphick from Hull and signing James Collins on a free transfer, but Football Insider say he wants to sign Brentford’s Yoann Barbet.
The 25-year-old played under Smith when he was in charge of Brentford, so Barbet could be open to renewing acquaintances. He’s been a regular at Griffin Park ever since his 2015-arrival from FC Niort, but the signing could have repercussions in the Villa camp.