According to the Express, Burnley are eyeing a late move for Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley, with Everton also said to be interested.
What’s the story?
Well, the Express believe Sean Dyche is thinking about offering a lifeline to the 33-cap England international, who has been frozen out in west London.
Barkley has seen his No.8 shirt taken from him and given to Mateo Kovacic, while he is yet to play a single second of football under Thomas Tuchel this season.
It was Goal who revealed that Everton are also keen on their former academy graduate, while Newcastle and West Ham are too.
Barkley has been told he can leave, although the Express believe it will be a financially difficult deal for Burnley to complete with time running out.
The 27-year-old – who Chelsea paid £15m for – earns £100,000-a-week at Stamford Bridge.
Additionally, the Blues are expected to demand a small fee if Barkley ends up leaving on loan.
Would Ross Barkley be a good signing for Burnley or Everton?
In our view, it’s hard to tell if Barkley would be a success at either Turf Moor or Goodison Park.
Despite some flashes of brilliance, the Liverpool-born attacking midfielder largely failed to impress while on loan at Aston Villa last season.
Significantly, the Villans had the third-best defence in the division last term, and also a fantastic array of attackers in Jack Grealish, Ollie Watkins and Bertrand Traore.
Therefore, if Barkley couldn’t perform in a side as secure as that, it’s hard to say if he’d do well elsewhere.
Financially, this is a complete no-go.
Unless Barkley agrees to a 50% pay cut – at least – then no club should even think about going near him or his £100,000-a-week wages.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
