Aston Villa’s €60m chase could fund Barcelona’s wage boost

Aston Villa have identified Moroccan winger Ez Abde as a target, ready to meet his €60 million release clause at Real Betis this summer, a payment that would also send roughly €12 million to Barcelona and could be activated before the transfer window closes.

Villa are looking to plug an attacking void, and Ez Abde offers the pace and creativity they lack on the flanks. The club’s ambition to reinforce its squad ahead of the new campaign aligns with this acquisition.

Premier League interest has intensified, with both Aston Villa and Newcastle United monitoring the Moroccan international. Reports place Aston Villa as the leading contender to activate the clause.

Villa’s financial flexibility has grown after they moved closer to completing the sale of Morgan Rogers to Chelsea, a deal that could generate as much as €130 million. This potential windfall underpins Villa’s ability to meet the €60 million price tag.

Real Betis have made clear they will only sanction a departure for the full €60 million fee, describing it as possibly the biggest sale in the club’s history. The Spanish side is waiting for the player to clarify his intentions before deciding on any move. Betis originally held 50 percent of Abde’s economic rights but reduced that share by 30 percent as part of the agreement that allowed Vitor Roque’s loan to be terminated before his permanent move to Palmeiras.

If the clause is activated, the payment would be triggered before the summer transfer window closes, delivering around €12 million to Barcelona. The Blaugrana also retain a 20 percent share of any future transfer fee, guaranteeing that €12 million slice.

Should the transfer materialise, Barcelona would gain a sizeable €12 million injection, providing a welcome boost to their wage structure while they continue to balance the books for the upcoming season. For Villa, meeting the €60 million clause would add a versatile Moroccan winger to a side eager to reinforce its attacking options, aligning with the club’s ambition to strengthen the squad ahead of the new campaign.