---
title: "Newcastle join Villa in race to sign Barbet"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2019/03/20/newcastle-join-villa-in-race-to-sign-barbet/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Daniel Emery"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2019-03-20T10:15:02Z"
modified: "2019-03-20T10:15:03Z"
---

# Newcastle join Villa in race to sign Barbet

Premier League side Newcastle United have joined Aston Villa in the race to sign Brentford defender Yoann Barbet in the summer.

[According to Calcio Mercato](https://www.calciomercato.com/news/newcastle-nel-mirino-un-difensore-francese-40627), Newcastle are now interested in signing the French defender at the end of the season.

The 25-year-old defender has impressed in the Championship this season, and played over 100 games for Brentford since joining the club in 2015.

![Dan Istitene/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readastonvilla.com/readastonvilla/2019/03/1073344236.jpg)

Barbet’s current contract with Brentford expires in the summer and he is set to be available on a free transfer – unless he agrees a new deal with the Championship outfit.

He is capable of playing at left-back or as a central defender, with WhoScored claiming that he has started 15 games as a centre-back and 14 as a left-back.

Aston Villa will now have to battle Newcastle for his signature, which could prove difficult if Dean Smith fails to secure promotion to the Premier League.