---
title: "Aston Villa prepare bid for Barnsley captain"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2017/05/25/aston-villa-prepare-bid-barnsley-captain/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Abdullah Mulla"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2017-05-25T11:58:14Z"
modified: "2017-05-25T11:58:14Z"
---

# Aston Villa prepare bid for Barnsley captain

Aston Villa are ready to bid £5million for influential Barnsley skipper Marc Roberts, according to the [Star](https://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/barnsley-fc/aston-villa-to-bid-5m-for-barnsley-skipper-marc-roberts-1-8560007).

The towering defender has been the stand-out performer for Barnsley this season in a successful Championship campaign for the club.

![Pete Norton/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2017/05/587912552.jpg)

Roberts, 26, attracted the interest of Premier League clubs last summer but was unaffected and continued to put in fine performances.

The centre-half scored four goals in the Championship this season as Barnsley finished one place behind his suitors Villa in the table.

Barnsley have a history of nurturing quality defenders, with John Stones and Alfie Mawson being the perfect examples of this.

After Barnsley were promoted to the Championship, Mawson was quickly signed by Premier League side Swansea for £5million. Various clubs we also interested in Roberts but he remained with his hometown club.

![Nigel Roddis/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2017/05/583537352.jpg)

It is reported that if Roberts does agree to the move, then he will demand first team football on a regular basis, something which Bruce may not be able to provide.

However Bruce can try to lure the defender to Villa Park through offering a substantial wage increase

However the West Midlands club have to sell players due to the Financial Fair Play rules which the club are in danger of breaching after their recent spending in the transfer market.