Newcastle United & Everton-linked midfielder set for medical as £5m deal agreed

Aston Villa have reportedly reached an agreement with Luton Town to sign Ross Barkley.

The 30-year-old has been tentatively linked with a handful of Premier League clubs, including Newcastle United and Everton, after reigniting his career with the Hatters. Barkley scored five goals and provided four assists in 32 Premier League appearances last season, leading to suggestions of a potential England selection.

The call from Gareth Southgate didn’t arrive and Luton were relegated from the top-flight. However, Barkley’s own upturn in form is set to take him to the Champions League next season. According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Villa will pay a fee of £5million for Barkley, who is expected to complete the formalities at the beginning of July.

Romano posted on X, formerly known as Twitter: “EXCL: Aston Villa have reached verbal agreement with Luton Town to sign Ross Barkley. Understand fee will be around £5m. Final part needed, medical tests and player’s formal signature — agreement on player side expected at the beginning of July. Here we go, soon.”

It’s thought Newcastle’s interest in Barkley was never serious, although some supporters did suggest a move for the former Chelsea man would be a wise move after he starred in Luton’s 4-4 draw on Tyneside in February. Barkley scored and grabbed an assist, and speaking after the game, he gained the respect of fans after waxing lyrical about the club and St James’ Park.

He said: “We knew what we were going to come up against. Newcastle are a top side, great on the transition and the counter. They played well, we played well. It was a bit of a basketball game. But it was an entertaining game and a good one to be a part of.

"I do know that as I did love used to playing against Newcastle. It’s a great club, I’m a fan of the club, stadium’s brilliant, great atmosphere from the fans and I like playing in stadiums like this as well. It’s nice to get a goal and I seem to have a bit of luck playing against them as well. "