Per Sport: Villa is interested in Ford and asks Barcelona for information, hoping to introduce or loan players at a low price
According to the Daily Sports Daily, Premier League team Villa is interested in Barcelona teenager Ector Ford.
19-year-old ACTO Ford is a Spanish defender who comes from Barcelona's youth training and has made 21 appearances for Barcelona's first team last season. However, in the right-back position where Ector Ford is best at, Barcelona already has two very powerful players, Conde and Eric Garcia. Therefore, Barcelona hopes to give ACTO Ford more opportunities to go to other teams to get more game training.
Currently ACTO Ford is evaluating the different invitations he has received and is preparing to make a decision about his future next week. The Daily Sports Daily quoted reporter Moreto as saying that Villa in the Premier League is also interested in ACTO Ford and asked Barcelona about the relevant situation. Villa coach Emery and sporting director Monci have both worked in La Liga clubs in the past and are very recognizing the potential of Barcelona's youth training players. In addition, Coach Emery and ACTO Ford are also part of the same agency, which may also help Villa sign ACTO Ford.
Villa needs a right-back to compete with Marty Cash. In January this year, Villa spent 7 million euros to sign Spanish defender Andres Garcia from Levante, but he only made seven appearances in the Premier League last season after joining Villa, and his performance did not meet expectations. The Daily Sports said Andres Garcia may leave Villa this summer, and Sevilla, Betis, Valencia, and some Serie A teams are interested in him. In this case, Vera considers introducing Ector Ford as a replacement.
However, the Daily Sports also emphasized that Villa is not expected to pay a large transfer fee for ACTO Ford, but instead hopes to sign players at a low price or loan players. Villa Club was punished by UEFA due to financial issues and its signing budget was also restricted. This summer, Villa only spent 37 million euros to sign forward Evanne Gaisan and defender Yassin Ozjan, which is a very low cost among Premier League clubs.
The possibility of playing in the Premier League may attract ACTO Ford, but his and Barcelona's first choice are to get a stable playing time in the new season, which may not be guaranteed in Villa. In addition, teams such as Paris FC, La Liga Mallorca and other teams are also interested in ACTO Ford, but ACTO Ford is unwilling to join Mallorca.
In any case, Barcelona does not want to completely give up ACTO Ford, and the club management still regards him as a member of the future. Therefore, Barcelona clubs are willing to consider renting out ACTO Ford, or retain players' future repurchase rights and higher second-transfer share, just like other youth training players who have left Barcelona in recent years.