Aston Villa are understood to be having discussions regarding hiring a new sporting director.

The Midlands club are assessing the sporting director of Real Betis - Antonio Cordon.

After Cordon announced he was leaving Betis this week, having been at the club since 2020, speculation is emerging about his next move.

Per Estadio Deportivo in Spain, Cordon is thinking about joining either Barcelona or Villa.

His two assistants at Betis, Jose Ignacio Navarro (recruitment analyst) and Alberto Benito (analyst), are likely to move with him as well.

A Betis statement said this week: “Antonio Cordón will no longer continue at Real Betis Balompié. The director of football ends a successful spell in the Green and White club.

“Cordón arrived at Heliópolis in July 2020. In these two and a half seasons, he has contributed in winning the Copa del Rey in 2022 and two qualifications for European competitions.

“In the current season, Real Betis is fighting in the top spots of LaLiga table. The work done by Antonio Cordón has stood out for the success in the building of the team, as well as implementing a demanding and successful working method in all the aspects related to the first team. Everyone at Real Betis Balompié would like to effusively thank Antonio Cordón for the work done and wish him all the best in the future."