Aston Villa are now considering a move to re-sign former loanee Ross Barkley with Chelsea eager to sell the midfielder amid interest from Everton, who he wants to join this summer.
That’s according to the Daily Mail, who note Steven Gerrard is weighing up a move to take Barkley back to Villa Park. The 28-year-old enjoyed a season at the Birmingham natives on loan from the Blues in 2020/21, but has struggled to reassert his place at Stamford Bridge.
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Dean Smith strived to sign Barkley during his time in charge of the claret-and-blue outfit in the 2020 off-season market. He would go on to amass 24 Premier League appearances, hit three goals and one assist. Yet he struggled to maintain top form after a hamstring injury.
Barkley was enjoying an outstanding campaign with Aston Villa before sustaining an injury five minutes into a 2-1 loss against Brighton & Hove Albion. The 33-cap England midfielder had offered two of his Villans goals and sole assist through his previous eight appearances.
Aston Villa could sign Ross Barkley but Chelsea ace interested in Everton return
A season back in west London last term has done little for Barkley’s career, either. Thomas Tuchel showed no faith in the Everton product’s ability with the German only fielding him 14 times across all competitions. He also only started in four games for a total of 452 minutes.
Now, the Mirror report Chelsea are keen to sell Barkley to offload his £100k-a-week wage, having entered the final year of his contract. The Blues have also offered their £15m arrival from Everton in January 2018 to Aston Villa, along with the Toffees, in their bid to get rid.
Aston Villa are now considering accepting Chelsea’s offer to sign Barkley as Gerrard weighs up any interest in the playmaker. But 90min note the midfield maestro Smith called ‘high-calibre’ while with Villa is eager to return to Goodison Park with Everton in advanced talks.
The Toffees only need to finalise a handful of final details to agree terms with the Blues for his Merseyside return on a permanent basis. But interest from Aston Villa may see Chelsea slow negotiations with Everton if Gerrard can present a superior bid to take Barkley away.
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