Everton have reportedly registered their interest in Ross Barkley, although Aston Villa will beat the Toffees to his signature.
According to a report by Football Insider, Ross Barkley is the subject of interest from Everton. The Toffees have expressed their interest in the 30-year-old playmaker and want to beat Aston Villa to his signature. However, the Villans are the front-runners to sign him from Luton Town in the summer transfer window.
Ross Barkley and his resurgence
Ross Barkley has resurrected his career since joining Luton Town from OGC Nice last summer. The Englishman was once one of the best young players in the Premier League, going from strength to strength during his stint with Everton. His spell at Goodison Park ended in January 2018, with Chelsea snapping him up.
However, the 30-year-old saw his progress come to a grinding halt at Chelsea, with a loan move to Aston Villa not working out either. Barkley’s frustrating spell at Stamford Bridge finally ended in 2022 before Nice signed him. However, the move to Kenilworth Road brought him back to his best in the 2023/24 season.
Barkley was a mainstay in the middle of the park, amassing nearly 3,000 minutes of game time across 37 appearances in all competitions, chipping in with five goals and six assists. However, the veteran playmaker will likely leave Luton Town in the summer transfer window after the Hatters went down to the EFL Championship. An immediate return to the Premier League is on the cards, with Aston Villa and Everton vying for his signature.
Premier League return on the horizon?
Aston Villa’s interest in Ross Barkley is understandable. The Villans are scouring the market for a playmaker heading into the summer transfer window after deciding not to complete a permanent move for Nicolo Zaniolo. The former Chelsea outcast can be a like-for-like replacement for the Italian international, making him a viable target.
As for Everton, the Toffees are also interested in a cost-effective deal for a midfielder amid uncertainties surrounding the future of Amadou Onana. The Toffees, who have registered their interest in Barkley, are ready to cash in on the Belgian international in the summer transfer window. And the 30-year-old can replace Onana in the Everton midfield unit.
However, despite expressing interest in re-signing Barkley, Everton will likely lose the race to secure his services to Aston Villa. The report claims that the Villans are the front-runners to land him, likely due to the offer of UEFA Champions League football.
