Jaden Philogene: Aston Villa rival Ipswich and Everton for Barcelona-linked winger
- 22-year-old Philogene a standout player for Hull City in first season
- Everton and Ipswich Town bids accepted but Villa retain buy-back option
- Talented winger also linked with La Liga giants Barcelona
Aston Villa have activated the buy-back option included in the deal to sell Jaden Philogene to Hull City, according to reports.
The 22-year-old scored 12 goals in 33 Championship appearances last season as Hull narrowly missed out on a place in the play-offs.
Philogene decided to leave Villa in order to play more first-team football and his decision appears to have been vindicated amid a glut of Premier League interest.
The Athletic revealed on Tuesday that Ipswich had agreed an £18m deal with Hull, on the same day that The Times' Paul Joyce posted on social media that Everton had struck a deal to sign Philogene – believing he wanted to head to Goodison Park.
Villa have matching rights for Philogene – a clause that allows them three days to match any accepted offer – and Fabrizio Romano reports that last season's surprise Champions League qualifiers have triggered that option.
It is now up to the player, who has also been linked with a shock move to Barcelona, to decide his next steps, with the lure of returning to Villa and playing in European football's primary club competition an added layer of complication.
Villa are also in discussions with West Ham United over the transfer of Colombian forward Jhon Duran, who has been unable to command a regular place at Villa Park.
The 20-year-old, like Philogene, is keen to play more first-team football, and discussions are underway over a potential transfer to West Ham worth in excess of £35m.
Chelsea had previously been linked to Duran during their extensive search for a new forward, but those links have cooled in recent weeks and the opportunity to move to London Stadium now looks like the Colombian's best option.
Manager Unai Emery has Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey, Moussa Diaby and Morgan Rogers currently at his disposal, and Philogene's potential return would beef out a squad that struggled to cope with the demands of playing Premier League and Conference League football last season.
In anticipation of the new season, Villa have added Ian Maatsen, Ross Barkley, Samuel Iling-Junior, Enzo Barrenechea and Lewis Dobbin to their ranks, offsetting those arrivals with the sales of Douglas Luiz and Omari Kellyman among others.
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