Bernal has emerged as one of Barcelona's top talents after an impressive breakout season in 2025-26, playing 33 times and scoring five goals in all competitions as Hansi Flick's side won the title.
Flick sees Bernal as an important star for the future and Barcelona have declared him "untouchable," but Aston Villa still want to test the Spanish club's resolve after Emery placed him at the top of his wishlist.
The Sun says Villa are understood to be gearing up to submit a £30m bid for the midfielder, with last season's Europa League winners leading the race for his signature as Emery pushes for the deal. Barcelona are resistant to selling, however, as they do not believe his talent can be replaced in the transfer market, and have already turned down offers in the region of £25m from elsewhere.
Manchester City also sent an enquiry to Barcelona for Bernal but saw their interest swiftly rejected, with Enzo Maresca's side told the player was not for sale "under current circumstances," a stance that suggests the door to a possible exit is not entirely closed. Arsenal and Manchester United have also been credited with interest in the past year.
Bernal came through Barcelona's La Masia academy, making his LaLiga debut in August 2024 before tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee later that month, an injury that kept him out for the remainder of that season.
He returned to first-team action the following September and has since become a regular fixture in Flick's midfield.
He has also previously spoken of his desire to stay at the club, telling Sport in June that he had turned down loan interest during the January window and did not regret the decision to remain in Catalonia: "From the beginning, it was clear to me that I wanted to stay. I've been here for many years, it's the club of my life."
Barcelona handed him a new contract to 2029 with a reported release clause in excess of £400m earlier this year, a figure that may complicate any move regardless of a club's official valuation.