90Min claim Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley is likely to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer and Leeds, Everton and Newcastle have been listed as possible destinations for the England international in the coming weeks.
Barkley, 28, has been afforded just 12 appearances in all competitions. In more than four years at the club, joining Chelsea in January 2018, he has played just 98 times for the Blues – scoring 11 goals and creating 11 assists.
His last Premier League appearance came back in December, as a sub against former side Everton. With his £96,000-a-week (Spotrac) contract due to end in June 2023, the chances are Chelsea will let him go on the cheap.
The report claims that Everton, Newcastle and Leeds are possible destinations for the midfielder – who will have an eye on the 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar, with Barkley having an admirer in Gareth Southgate.
One thing is clear, Barkley needs to leave Chelsea. There is no future for him, especially with the recent resurgence of Ruben Loftus-Cheek. It is likely Barkley will want to remain in the Premier League.
If Everton stay up, they have to be considered favourites. Barkley is an Everton academy product – and the Toffees have Frank Lampard in charge. But the Toffees have just signed Dele Alli, so is there room for two?
Newcastle have the cash to afford his wages and could do with a no.10, though Joe Willock is impressing – albeit as an 8. Leeds are likely to be in the market for a midfielder, but does he have the legs for their system?
