Aston Villa are the “most advanced” club in the race to sign Ghanaian left-back David Oduro from Barcelona this summer, with the 20-year-old potentially moving straight to affiliated French club Annecy.
Portuguese sides Maritimo and Tondela are also interested in Oduro, who impressed for Barcelona Atletic last season in the fourth tier of Spanish football.
The Ghana international’s spell with Barcelona is expected to end without him making a senior appearance for the La Liga club. However, Aston Villa are now understood to be working towards an agreement that would see them sign the defender before sending him to Annecy, who play in Ligue 2.
Spanish newspaper Sport reports that Oduro’s departure became more likely after Barcelona’s reserve side signed Ecuadorian left-back Josue Caicedo. The arrival of Caicedo is understood to have created an opportunity for Oduro to leave the Catalan club.
The “final details are being ironed out”, according to the report, with Oduro potentially set to complete a move to Villa before continuing his development in France.
Oduro has spent the past two years training at La Masia, Barcelona’s renowned youth academy. He joined the club from Ghanaian side Accra Lions and featured prominently for Barcelona B last season.
During his first campaign in Spain, Oduro helped Barcelona win the UEFA Youth League. He was not, however, part of the squad that defeated Aston Villa Under-19s in the last 16 of that competition.
The defender made 23 league appearances for Barcelona B last term, scoring once and providing one assist. He is now seeking a move to a higher division, and a transfer involving Aston Villa would give him that opportunity through a season with Annecy in France’s second tier.
Barcelona are reportedly seeking to retain an interest in Oduro’s future. Sport says the club intends to keep 50 per cent of any future sale rights as part of the proposed agreement, “to maintain control over his development”.
That clause suggests Barcelona continue to see potential in the Ghanaian, despite his expected departure without a first-team appearance.
Austrian club Sturm Graz also attempted to sign Oduro earlier this summer, but their approach was rejected by the left-back.
Oduro made his senior international debut for Ghana in May, coming on as a late substitute during a friendly defeat by Mexico. His next move would see him leave Barcelona after two years at La Masia and begin the next stage of his career in Ligue 2, with Annecy likely to be his destination should he choose Aston Villa.
