According to the Daily Mail, Villa are interested in signing Newcastle United forward Barnes.
Reports suggest that Barnes is on Aston Villa's transfer shortlist as the club looks to bolster its attacking speed for next season's Champions League campaign.
Villa has qualified for Europe's top club competition for the second time in three years and hopes to strengthen its squad this summer—however, operating within Financial Fair Play rules remains an ongoing challenge.
Barnes has two years left on his contract with Newcastle and has proven himself to be a player who can create chances and score goals from wide positions. This season, he has scored 16 goals in all competitions, including 6 Champions League goals. His pace would also make Villa more dangerous on the counter-attack. Barnes is right-footed but can play on both wings.
For Villa, this summer's transfer market will still be a balancing act, and Barnes, at 28, will not come cheap.
He joined Newcastle from Leicester City three years ago, and Newcastle hopes to recoup most of the £38 million transfer fee. The potential transfer of another forward, Anthony Gordon, to Bayern Munich, could also influence Newcastle's stance on Barnes.
However, Barnes might be attracted by the opportunity to continue playing in the Champions League, and joining Villa would mean he could be closer to his family, who currently reside in the Midlands.
Villa's transfer activities this summer may revolve around the success of their player sales. It is understood that the club is willing to listen to offers for Morgan Rogers, who is valued at around £80 million. Selling him would provide the team with more room to maneuver in the transfer market.
Head coach Unai Emery hopes to sign at least one new winger and also wants to add a midfielder; if Emiliano Martínez leaves, the team will also need to sign a goalkeeper. James Trafford remains their top target for the goalkeeper position.