Aston Villa signing poised to depart for £13m without ever playing a match

Midfielder Enzo Barrenechea has become the latest player to leave Villa after joining Benfica on an initial loan deal.

The 24-year-old appears very likely to depart without ever playing an official match for Villa, with the clubs having struck an agreement which includes an obligation to buy for around £13million provided certain clauses are triggered.

Villa would retain a 30 per cent sell-on clause for Barrenechea, who joined from Juventus last summer for an initial £6.7m.

His signing and that of Samuel Iling-Junior from the Italian giants coincided with the £42.5m sale of Douglas Luiz in the other direction, a deal which was essential to Villa complying with the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.

Barrenechea featured in friendly matches prior to the start of last season before joining Valencia on loan for the campaign.

Though he impressed in Spain, there were doubts at Villa whether he would be able to break into the first-team and with no shortage of suitors, an exit this summer was always likely.

Barrenechea flew to Lisbon earlier this week to discuss terms with Benfica and undergo a medical.

Forward Louie Barry, who played the first half of Wednesday’s 1-0 friendly defeat at Walsall, is expected to join Sheffield United on loan early next week.