According to The Mirror, West Ham boss David Moyes is still keen on reuniting with Chelsea’s Ross Barkley.
The Hammers boss reportedly tried to bring him to the London Stadium back in January but the move failed to materialise.
Barkley was handed his Premier League debut by Moyes for Everton against QPR back in 2011. The midfielder moved on to Chelsea for £15 million in 2018, (BBC) but he hasn’t quite had the individual success that he would have hoped for.
The 26-year-old has started just 10 games in the league this season. Barkley is by no means Chelsea’s first choice but he has been an important part of Frank Lampard’s side since the games returned.
However, with Hakim Ziyech making his way into Chelsea’s squad next term, Barkley’s game time will most likely reduce, which will hamper his chances of heading to the Euros with England next year.
The report claims that Moyes is planning on using just that to lure Barkley to West Ham this summer. The Englishman will play almost every game for the Hammers if a move does happen, which will increase his chances of making the national squad.
That would be a good opportunity for Barkley if he doesn’t see himself to be a regular starter for Chelsea next season. The 26-year-old, when fit, has immense quality and can change the game for his side.
West Ham could certainly use a player of his quality but they have bigger things to worry about first. The Irons are not safe from relegation just yet.
Moyes’ side picked up a massive win against the Blues earlier this week to move above Watford into 16th place. However, slip-ups in the remaining games could see them back in the relegation zone and, once you are in there, it is extremely difficult to get out.
Barkley is certainly an option for West Ham but that will be only be a possibility if they are a Premier League club. Moyes will have to get his team safe before he can even think of signing Barkley or anyone else in this summer’s transfer window.
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