According to 90min, Newcastle and Leeds are interested in signing Ross Barkley, who is struggling for Premier League action at Chelsea.
What’s the story?
Well, the 27-year-old is free to leave Chelsea in January, with Newcastle, Leeds and Burnley sniffing around the situation.
Barkley cost £15m back in 2018, although he has never really found his feet at Stamford Bridge, especially under Thomas Tuchel.
Interestingly, 90min have been told that the England international features on a list of January targets for Newcastle, including players who the new owners feel are obtainable and likely to aid the fight for survival.
One man who seems to be a big fan of Barkley is Gary Lineker, who once made a very bold claim about the Newcastle and Leeds target.
The BBC Match of the Day host once likened Barkley to Paul Gascoigne of all players, when writing for the Daily Mail back in 2014.
Lineker wrote: “I see things in Barkley’s game, in terms of strengths and weaknesses. Like Gazza he can go past people. He’s incredibly strong. He’s got a similar stature, got amazing ability and will score amazing goals like Gazza.”
Would Ross Barkley be a good signing for Newcastle or Leeds?
In our view, both Newcastle and Leeds need a player like Barkley.
Steve Bruce and Marcelo Bielsa could both use a new midfielder, as that area is quite thin in both of their respective squads.
Leeds failed to sign a player who could add depth behind Mateusz Klich and Kalvin Phillips, while Newcastle simply lack quality options.
With all due respect, Jonjo Shelvey and Jeff Hendrick aren’t going to be breaking down many defences.
In that respect, Barkley would be a necessary signing for both sides.
Only time will tell where he ends up, but a January move looks likely.
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