Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has made Barcelona midfielder Marc Bernal his top summer transfer target as the club looks to reinvest funds from Morgan Rogers’ record-breaking departure.
Aston Villa prepare £30m bid for Barcelona’s star Marc Bernal
The Villans have already completed deals for Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes and a club-record £50 million swoop for SC Freiburg winger Johan Manzambi.
However, Emery believes the most impressive coup of the window could still be on the horizon.
According to The Sun, the Spanish coach is a “big fan” of the 19-year-old Bernal and has personally instructed Villa’s transfer chiefs to submit a bid.
The Premier League side are preparing a £30 million offer for the teenager, who enjoyed a breakthrough 2025/26 campaign at the Catalan giants.
Bernal featured 33 times and scored five goals across all competitions last season, helping Barcelona clinch the La Liga title.
His achievement is particularly remarkable given he suffered an ACL injury in August 2024 at just 17 years old, forcing him to miss most of that season and the beginning of the 2025/26 campaign.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has labelled the rising star “untouchable” in an attempt to ward off suitors, but Emery remains undeterred.
The Spanish champions have already rejected multiple bids around the £25 million mark this summer.
Manchester City also made an enquiry about Bernal, only to be told that a sale would not happen “under current circumstances”.
The youngster’s potential departure has attracted widespread interest, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Atletico Madrid all monitoring the situation.
Bernal came through Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy alongside Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, and made his senior Spain debut in a June friendly.
Despite the mounting interest, Bernal appears content to remain at Barcelona and fight for his place.
“My objective is to try to reach the best level possible and play as many minutes as I can to help the team,” he said.
“I see myself as a starter. Everyone has to believe in themselves and in everything they can offer and contribute to the team”.
Whether Villa’s £30 million proposal can persuade Barcelona to part with one of their most prized assets remains to be seen.
