Aston Villa prepares £30m bid for Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal

Premier League club Aston Villa has announced plans to submit a £30 million offer for 19‑year‑old Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal. Bernal, who scored five goals and made 33 appearances across all competitions last season, is regarded by Villa manager Unai Emery as a key target for the 2026/27 campaign. Barcelona have labelled the player “untouchable” and have already turned down offers around £25 million, indicating little willingness to sell. Villa’s proposed fee would be the highest yet for the Spaniard, who remains linked with other top clubs but has expressed loyalty to Barcelona. The bid underscores Villa’s intent to strengthen their central midfield and signals a willingness to invest heavily to secure the young talent.