Aston Villa is in discussions to sign a “fantastic” player. Picture him and Barkley.

In preparation for some tough Champions League matches later this summer, Unai Emery has already strengthened his team’s roster by adding a number of new players to the roster.

The accomplished Spaniard has approved the exits of Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby, who are now set to leave Villa Park, as well as the arrival of Ian Maatsen, Samuel Illing-Junior, Jaden Philogene-Bidace, and more.

Emery has also taken a shine to Ross Barkley during this hectic transfer season. The former midfielder for Luton Town is currently rebuilding his career at Kenilworth Road after moving to the West Midlands.

The ex-Arsenal manager could also be tempted into bringing in this fellow midfielder who is in need of breathing life back into his stuttering playing days too, who has struggled himself playing in North London.

On social media, SyC Sports claims that an ambitious trade between Villa and Tottenham Hotspur is being arranged, with Jacob Ramsey joining Ange Postecoglou’s team and Giovani Lo Celso to Villa Park to try his luck under Emery once more.

Having struggled to produce consistently in England to date, this transfer might be the catalyst to revive his flagging career. He previously played under the 52-year-old at Villarreal and Paris St. Germain.

He could see this move as a way to prove doubters wrong at Spurs in a new environment, with SyC Sports reporting that the swap deal will also involve an exchange of £19m in order to things get over the line.

With Barkley and Lo Celso at the forefront of the new-look central positions, Villa’s midfield could be stacked full of elite talent ahead of the upcoming Premier League season, potentially linking up with fellow Argentine compatriots Emiliano Martinez and Emiliano Buendia if the move materializes.

As you can see from the footage above, Lo Celso demonstrated to everyone why Spurs ultimately spent £27.2 million to acquire the South American permanent fixture at the beginning of his rollercoaster tenure in North London.

Even though he showed early potential, he has failed to be a reliable player in North London throughout his now four years with the club. Postecoglou only gave him 22 top-flight games in the most recent campaign.

Due to Lo Celso’s disruptive behavior in North London, he was even sent on loan to Spain, where he reunited with Emery and managed three goals and four assists in 51 appearances.

Lo Celso also fared far better under Emery during their time together in France than he has during his dull Spurs career thus far, amassing six goals and nine assists from 54 games either operating as a traditional center midfielder or moving forward in a more attack-oriented role.

Postecoglou has even called Lo Celso “fantastic” while he’s been in the hot seat in North London, but it could be time for Lo Celso to reunite with his old boss for an incredible third time, which would help Villa forget about the disappearance of Luiz and fellow midfielder Barkley.

The new Villa addition will function similarly to his prospective Argentine teammate in the West Midlands, having managed five goals and four assists in the previous campaign. However, the former Everton player has the grit to play a deep role if needed, having averaged 6.1 duels won for the Hatters in the top flight last season.

With that in mind, this could be a beautifully technical duo to behold in the centre of the park, potentially pairing the likes of tough-tackling John McGinn and Amadou Onana.

There’s no guarantee that either Barkley or Lo Celso are going to be rip-roaring success stories, looking at their rather topsy-turvy career paths, but Emery will relish the challenge of getting more out of both of them next campaign.

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