Aston Villa and Leeds are battling it out to land French centre-back Yoann Barbet this summer.
According to L’Equipe, via The Wales Online, Villa and Leeds are both trying to sign Barbet ahead of next season.
Barbet is set to leave Championship side Brentford at the end of next month, upon the expiry of his contract.
Brentford have already confirmed that he will not be signing a new deal and will, instead, become a free agent.
The report claims that Villa were the favourites to land Barbet, but Leeds have now joined the race and are threatening to usurp Dean Smith’s side and secure a deal.
Barbet made over 100 Championship appearances in four years at Brentford and is capable of playing at both centre-back or left-back, but is more suited to the central role.
Villa, however, do not yet know which division they will be playing in next season, with a play-off final against Derby County to come later this month.
