Ross Barkley joined Chelsea for £15m on a 5 and a half year deal in in 2018 after 13 years at Everton.
There is extremely limited information around this rumour, other than the attacking midfielders odds have moved sharply in Villa’s favour in the last 3 days:
Barkley represents an interesting link, particularly as Villa continue to look to strengthen ahead of a vital second season in the top flight.
Whilst Smith appears to have assembled a decent spine, the evidence as witnessed against Burton, was that beyond Dean Smith’s first team, it’s slim pickings in the event we sustain injuries or incur suspensions.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe 26 year old midfielder would also fit the bill for Villa’s stated ambition to recruit players within this age range and whom have prior Premier League experience. However, neither Matty Cash nor Ollie Watkins have been purchased with either.
The club might also be able to leverage John Terry’s ongoing connection at Stamford Bridge, with the prospect of acquring Barkley (if only on loan) also becoming more plausible following a massive summer slurge from Frank Lampard’s Chelsea.
It’s an interesting rumour, certainly one to be considered with caution, but stranger things have happened.
In terms of midfield alternatives: Villa remain in advanced negotiations for Bertrand Traore who awaits the outcome of a work permit, whilst the saga continues in the clubs ongoing pursuit of Milot Rashica.
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I hope we avoid Barkley. He possesses a great shot but little else IMHO.
I would much rather Gallagher or Swift as back up to SJM and then, if we could sell Nakamba, Phillip Billings to compete with Dougie L.
First I’ve seen of this one. No doubt it’ll be all over the gossip sheets in the morning.
Ross is a very talented player, still to hit his full potential and yes – given their own recruitment spree – probably surplus to requirements at Chelsea. He was struggling to hold down a regular place there even before they were allowed back into the swimming pool.
Could potentially be a similar situation to Martinez and Traore; there’s only so long that a young player is willing to settle for a place on the bench before the need regular first team football. It could well be that Ross has decided he wants to be playing games week in, week out.
If you look at our current crop of midfielders – and assuming Grealish remains forward/left/whereverthehellhelikes – then Barkley would be competing with the established midfield trio of McGinn, Luiz and Hourihane, and Nakamba/Lansbury from the bench. I’d imagine he’d likely move into Hourihane’s position, and would be much more of a combative midfielder.
Honestly, our team really misses Hourihane’s set pieces wh n he’s not playing, but Barkley would definitely be a step up over the Irishman in all round play, with his best years still to come.
The rumour has come out of left field for me, but it certainly would make sense.