Aston Villa are reportedly the most advanced club in the race to sign Barcelona left-back David Oduro, with a clear development plan already prepared for the 20-year-old.
Villa intend to sign the Ghana international before placing him with French side FC Annecy, according to Spanish newspaper SPORT.
Barcelona would retain 50% of Oduro’s future sale rights as part of the proposed transfer, giving the Catalan club a significant financial interest in his development.
Sport Witness, relaying SPORT’s report, says Villa are currently closest to securing the deal, although Portuguese sides Tondela and Marítimo are also interested.
Aston Villa plan immediate David Oduro loan
Oduro would not appear to be a signing designed to immediately challenge Unai Emery’s first-team options.
Instead, Villa’s plan reportedly involves sending him to Annecy to gain senior experience in Ligue 2.
That route is already becoming increasingly familiar.
Read Aston Villa previously reported on V Sports’ plans to strengthen its relationship with Annecy, creating a pathway through which young players can gain first-team football away from Villa Park.
Villa have subsequently sent Kadan Young and Zépiqueno Redmond to Annecy, and Oduro could become another player developed through the French club.
Barcelona’s own assessment helps explain the attraction.
The club describe Oduro as a very quick, attacking left-back with strong anticipation and the ability to beat opponents. He joined Barça Atlètic from Accra Lions in 2024 on a contract running until June 2027.
Oduro had already made 50 appearances in Ghana’s top flight before moving to Spain.
The defender made 23 league appearances for Barcelona’s reserve side last season and has since made his senior Ghana debut.
Barcelona’s willingness to retain half of any future transfer proceeds suggests they are reluctant to completely surrender the potential upside attached to his development.
For Villa, that structure creates a different opportunity.
Rather than recruiting Oduro to immediately compete with Matteo Ruggeri and Ian Maatsen, Villa could use their growing relationship with Annecy to develop an asset initially away from the Premier League.
The final details have not yet been agreed and Villa still face competition.
But with SPORT reporting that they are the most advanced option, another piece of V Sports’ wider development structure could soon fall into place.
