Everton, Luton Town offered chance to sign Ashley Young?
The 38-year-old returned to Villa Park for a second stint when he made the switch from Inter Milan in June 2021, going on to feature 58 times for the Second City club across two years.
Featuring in 29 Premier League matches for the Villans last term – 23 of those being from the start – the former Manchester United man helped Unai Emery‘s men finish seventh, securing Europa Conference League football.
Despite being involved in such a successful campaign following the sacking of Steven Gerrard in October 2022, the right-back has not been offered extended terms at Villa, as confirmed by the club earlier this month.
Young’s time in the Premier League may not be over however, as according to Birmingham Mail, both Everton and Luton Town have been handed the opportunity to sign the defender this summer.
The Toffees fought off fears of a first-ever Premier League relegation once again last term, with Sean Dyche being appointed in the middle of the season and guiding the Merseyside club to a 17th-placed finish.
With club legend Seamus Coleman signing a new one-year deal at Goodison Park, it remains to be seen whether Everton want two veteran right-backs in their ranks next season, meaning a move for Young could be unlikely.
Luton are back in England’s top flight for the first time since 1992 after winning the Championship playoff final against Coventry City at Wembley on a scorching day in late May.
Rob Edwards is now tasked with keeping the Hatters in the Premier League for more than just a single term, and the first-tier experience of Young could be desirable in a squad which has limited top-flight know-how.
The Kenilworth Road club have recruited exclusively from the English Football League so far, with centre-back Mads Andersen arriving from Barnsley and forward Chiedozie Ogbene making the switch from Rotherham United.
Despite being free to discuss terms with other sides, Young made public his desire to remain at Aston Villa for the 2023-24 term in order to play for the club as they venture into Europe for the first time since the 2010-11 campaign.
When questioned on his future after Villa’s final-day victory over Brighton & Hove Albion in May, Young said: “You’ll have to ask the manager and the owners, but I want to stay.”
It is understood that Emery is focusing on remoulding his side so that they can endure the demands of continental football, with the West Midlands club interested in signing Villarreal defender Pau Torres.
The 26-year-old burst onto the scene for the Yellow Submarine under the current Villa boss, and a deal worth £33m for the centre-back is reportedly set to be confirmed next week.
