Chelsea are reportedly lining up a January move for Ross Barkley, with Tottenham interested in signing the Everton midfielder as well.
According to a report in Daily Mirror, Chelsea are set to relaunch an attempt to sign Ross Barkley, with a move in the winter transfer window in the offing. Tottenham remain interested in the Everton midfielder as well, and are likely to battle their London rivals in his pursuit in January.
Barkley progressed through the ranks at Everton before breaking into the first-team setup in 2013. Since then, the player has progressed by leaps and bounds, establishing himself as a regular member for both club and country.
Widely regarded as one of the most promising youngsters in England, Barkley has displayed sparks of brilliance over the last four years, but often frustrated with his inconsistent performances. Nevertheless, he has been a highly sought-after talent in the transfer market, with the who’s who of English football tailing him in recent years.
#thfc believe themselves to be favourites to sign Everton’s Ross Barkley in the winter transfer window.
| via @Matt_Law_DT pic.twitter.com/vkmsiJ83oG
— Hotspur Hacker (@HotspurHacker) November 8, 2017
This past summer, though, London seemed set to be the next destination for Barkley, with Chelsea and Tottenham vying for his signature. Chelsea had, in fact, appeared set to sign the player on a £35 million deadline day deal, before he reportedly pulled out of the move. But, the two clubs are set to battle for him again in January.
At Chelsea, Antonio Conte has voiced his displeasure at the club’s transfer policy in the summer, having often been left short of options in midfield and attack in the early stages of the season, due to form and fatigue.
With Technical Director Michael Emenalo calling it quits this week, Conte is set to be backed in the transfer market in January, with Barkley being a priority. But, Chelsea will face stiff competition from Tottenham for the Englishman, with Mauricio Pochettino keen on signing him as well.
The Spurs boss has also been stretched for fit options in midfield, with Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama struggling for fitness and Eric Dier switching between playing in defence and midfield, leaving just Harry Winks as the only reliable option at Pochettino’s disposal.
Everton are open to selling Barkley in January, despite their struggles at the start of the season, with Barkley unlikely to sign a new deal. It now remains to be seen where the 23-year-old heads off to this winter, with a departure from Goodison Park all but certain.
