Transfer News: Ross Barkley has been put up for sale by Chelsea
According to the Mirror, Chelsea are looking for suitors to get rid of Ross Barkley ahead of next season. Aston Villa and Everton are said to be the two clubs that have been offered the chance to sign him.
An Everton youth product, Barkley joined Chelsea from Everton in 2018 for £15 million. The 28-year-old was tipped for big things but has failed to meet the expectations. Now after four years of failing to make his mark, he has been asked to leave.
The midfielder spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Aston Villa but the midlands club turned down the option to sign him permanently. He struggled last season, making only 14 appearances in all competitions for the Blues.
The former England international is very unlikely to feature in Thomas Tuchel’s plan for next season. It would be beneficial for both the club and the player if he left. Barkley is thought to be paid £100,000 per week.
A move away from the Bridge would help the club lighten their wage bill. Tuchel has a ton of options in his ranks to choose from when it comes to the midfield department. The likes of N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Mateo Kovacic and Conor Gallagher are all ahead in the pecking order.
The London club are hoping to cash in some money from Barkley’s sale as the player has only one year left in his current contract. It remains to be seen if the Blues will be able to recover all the money they spent on him, but something is better than nothing.
As for the midfielder, it would be beneficial for him to ply his trade elsewhere. The player still has the potential to offer something and he would completely waste it if he stays at Chelsea for another season. There is still time for him to show the potential everyone expected when he moved to Stamford Bridge.
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Barkley is currently in the United States with Chelsea for their pre-season. He featured in Chelsea’s last pre-season game against Club America, but it remains to be seen if he will feature in the next clash against Charlotte.
As for the fans, it is very unlikely that he will be missed. His departure will open up a potential midfield space in the team, something which the youth players can take advantage of.