Chelsea are reportedly expected to complete their first signing of the January transfer window today by bringing in Ross Barkley from Everton for around £15million. The England international was a target for the Blues in the summer and was close to joining us before the deal broke down. The midfielder opted to return back to Everton and continue his recovery from hamstring injury.
Barkley, 24, turned down a move to join Antonio Conte’s Chelsea on transfer deadline day in August, with majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri then saying Everton had accepted a bid and Barkley had agreed terms. With the 24-year-old on the verge of attaining full fitness, the Daily Mail report Chelsea are back for the midfielder and the deal could be finalised by today.
The report further suggests that the Premier League champions have kept their tabs on the Everton man, who was in London on Thursday, and are ready to finalise a move once he passes the medical.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino is a long-term admirer of the attacking midfielder but Antonio Conte’s Chelsea look to have stepped up their pursuit for Barkley, who is determined to complete the switch as quickly as possible.
We also have the prospect of signing the midfielder in the summer when he will be available on a free transfer, but as Spurs are interested, Conte is not ready to take any risk and wants to strengthen his squad in January by snapping him up. Barkley is set to leave Goodison Park after 13 long years, having joined Everton as an 11-year-old in 2005.
The academy graduate has played 150 times for Everton in the Premier League, scoring 21 times since making his debut in 2011. Despite bursting onto the scene as a highly-rated young talent a few years ago, Barkley has failed to live up to his potential at Merseyside.
However, it’s true that Conte views the midfielder as some talent and thus wants him to join his team. If our gaffer could help Barkley realise his true potential at Stamford Bridge, then it would be some story. With BBC confirming Barkley is set to have a medical at Chelsea, let us have a look at how the fans reacted to the news.
don’t know why everton are getting rid of him, clearly a talent, will be under the guidance of an english great in rooney, could’ve turned it all around imo
— – (@cuneytgee) January 5, 2018
Deal of the window, Bargain
— nazhan (@nazhanCfc) January 5, 2018
No why do we need him, he cant do it for everton, he doesnt fit into the team, its a pointless transfer, i expect chelsea to want to chase city and utd and go spend 90 mil on griezman and how ever much aubamyang is, get ourselfs a good right back
— Fifa Tyler (@TylerCreasey) January 5, 2018
Will either improve or replace Bakayoko ….
— CHELSEA PROUD (@CHELSEA_PROUD) January 5, 2018
Great deal for Chelsea terrible deal for Everton. Boys never lived upto his potential but give it a season or two and Chelsea will have him worth 40 mill
— Conway U.C.A (@JamieConway231) January 5, 2018
Barkley for 15m is a bargain good job done by the board. Will definitely add depth to our squad & provide competition. Good by @ChelseaFc
— Mavestar DA DoN (@Mavestar18) January 5, 2018
why on earth we are signing him I do not know! We give drinkwater a game in a blue moon. This guy is just gonna keep batshu company on the bench
— Taylor Goodban (@Goodban94Taylor) January 5, 2018
As a Chelsea supporter……… pic.twitter.com/2sid04UsWk
— Adrian Miritello (@AdrianMiritello) January 5, 2018
Ross Barkley could be confirmed as a Chelsea player later today mmmm were will he fit in to that team
— ross wallace (@ross936) January 5, 2018
£15m for Ross Barkley is an absolute steal in this current market.
— ` (@CescMagician) January 5, 2018
I’m sure Everton fans will completely forget they were ever angry at Ross Barkley when he returns in his 30s
— Michael Flanagan (@flanners85) January 5, 2018
One things for sure £15m for Ross Barkley isn’t a bad deal at all. Not going to pretend that he’s some marquee signing but he’s a goalscoring midfielder & that’s what we lack.. could turn out to be very good for us.
— َ (@HazardEdition) January 5, 2018
Ross Barkley is just a few hours away from signing for Chelsea. Meaning he’s roughly 6 months and a few hours away from joining Vitesse on loan.
— Tom Todhunter (@tdhntr) January 5, 2018