Aston Villa are looking to sign Ross Barkley from Chelsea on loan, the Telegraph report.
Villa have already spent big this summer, but Dean Smith is eager to bolster his midfield ranks and Barkley is on his wishlist.
There is a problem which makes the deal look complicated though, as Villa are not keen to meet Chelsea’s demands.
The Blues want any loan side to pay the entirety of Barkley’s £120,000-a-week contract, which Villa are reluctant to do.
That is an understandable stance, even though Barkley would almost certainly add to the quality of their squad.
The midfielder, who has been hailed as ‘outstanding’ before by David Moyes (The Telegraph), is a real goal threat from midfield, and is capable off either foot.
If Villa could line up with Jack Grealish, Douglas Luiz, John McGinn and Barkley in midfield then they would have some real quality options.
But Villa may need to find a way to talk Chelsea into reducing their wage demands if they are to complete a deal.
If they are unable to do that, Villa are also said to be considering a move for Ruben Loftus-Cheek, who has fallen down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.
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