Chelsea have reportedly shifted their focus to another Premier League striker, with the club now interested in Burnley striker Ashley Barnes.
Antonio Conte seems like a desperate man, desperate to add to his options in the striking department. And according to Sky Sports, after being linked to the likes of Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch, Chelsea are now interested in a January move for Burnley striker Ashley Barnes.
Ashley Barnes has been a steady customer upfront for Sean Dyche and his Burnley side. The striker joined Burnley in January, 2014 for an undisclosed fee and has since become one of the main pillars of the success that saw the Clarets dominate the Championship to earn promotion and then establish themselves as a worthy Premier League side.
Burnley have struggled for goals, with Barnes himself managing just 3 in 23 Premier League appearances so far. But, it is his dexterity and the will to work hard for Sean Dyche’s men that sees the 28-year-old be a very strong asset for the side.
SKY SOURCES: @ChelseaFC interested in signing @BurnleyOfficial striker Ashley Barnes. #SSN pic.twitter.com/T5SqVfqwq8
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) January 21, 2018
The union though, could be about to end, with Chelsea showing an interest in the Burnley forward. The Blues have also had similar struggles in front of goals in recent games. And with Antonio Conte not satisfied with the options at his disposal – Alvaro Morata and Michy Batshuayi – the entire January transfer window has seen Chelsea being linked with several strikers.
While the likes of Andy Carroll and Peter Crouch are unlikely to be seen as a good addition to the squad in the eyes of Chelsea fans, a move for Barnes could be something the Blues fans can digest. For one, the player will still be able to provide a few years of service unlike Crouch while his injury history is much much better than that of Andy Carroll.
Barnes will provide a similar strength in aerial duels and set-pieces despite not being as towering as Carroll and Crouch. The 28-year-old has acted as Burnley’s main outlet when the defenders hoof the ball up the field and he could be used in a similar manner, albeit more as Plan B, at Chelsea.
There has been no contact made yet, with reports claiming that Chelsea have not lodged a bid for Barnes. But, with other targets not really convincing and quality players hard to get in the January transfer window, Barnes could be an unlikely arrival at Stamford Bridge.
