Burnley Boss Still Looking to Sign Ross Barkley In January Transfer Window
Ross Barkley’s remains free to leave Chelsea in the January transfer window and is wanted by Burnley, Newcastle United and Leeds united, 90min understands. The 27-year-old has been on the periphery at Stamford Bridge for much of his five-year stay and was farmed out on loan to Aston Villa last season in search of regular first-team football.
Aston Villa opted against making Barkley’s move permanent even though the midfielder made twenty-four Premier League appearances for the club last season, instead they opted to bring in Emiliano Buendia from Norwich City and Leon Bailey from Bayer Leverkusen in big-money deals. They also lost captain Jack Grealish who moved to Manchester City for a British record £100m.
Barkley was still expected to leave Chelsea in the summer despite Villa’s unwillingness to strike a deal, and did receive interest from a number of Premier League clubs. West Ham were exploring a possible loan move at one stage, while Burnley looked to take him to Turf Moor on transfer deadline day as they sought additional cover in midfield. In the end, Barkley ended up staying in London, though Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel did admit trying to move him on in early September, citing the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic as a key factor in a loan move failing to materialise.
Nevertheless, it’s understood that Burnley remain keen to agree a January deal for the midfielder, though Sean Dyche’s side will need to fend off interest from elsewhere to secure his signature. Leeds United are keen to do a deal, as are Newcastle United who following their takeover by a consortium primarily financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and fronted by PCP Capital Partners and the Reuben brothers are now flush with cash.
Intermediaries have already reached out to Newcastle United to offer Barkley’s services and he features on a shortlist of attainable targets who the club believe could come in and help secure their Premier League future. Chelsea teammate Ruben Loftus-Cheek also features on that list, though it appears he has a brighter future in the capital after recently forcing his way into Tuchel’s side.
Whoever takes a punt on Barkley will pick up a 33-cap England international who many feel is yet to fulfil his true potential. He has made 227 Premier League appearances after making his debut as a teenager for Everton during the 2011/12 season, but his progress been derailed by a catalogue of injuries and latterly fierce competition for places.
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