Transfer News: Premier League newcomers keen on Chelsea midfield star

Leeds United interested in Ross Barkley

According to Football Insider (h/t Leeds Live), Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley has emerged as a potential target for newly-promoted Premier League side Leeds United.

Barkley has been with Chelsea since January 2018, having arrived from fellow Premier League side Everton. However, the 26-year-old has struggled to nail down a starting berth for himself at Stamford Bridge.

Lack of consistency, injury problems have all played a role in Barkley’s plight at Chelsea. Till date, he has featured just 86 times across all competitions, registering 11 goals and 11 assists apiece.

Barkley’s situation is unlikely to improve this season, now that Chelsea have also recruited Kai Havertz from Bayer Leverkusen. As a result, his future has become a topic of speculation.

It is being claimed that Chelsea are willing to offload Barkley this summer, if their asking price of £30m is met by interested parties. (h/t Leeds Live)

And Leeds United have entered the fray as a potential suitor for the England international. The Whites are considering Barkley as an alternative for Argentine midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, a move for whom has fallen through. (h/t Leeds Live)

Barkley will be somewhat familiar to Elland Road, having spent a month on loan at Leeds in 2013, while he was still at Everton.

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The midfielder has played just 40 minutes of Premier League football in three games this term. However, he did start and score in the cup tie against Barnsley.

Considering the plethora of options in midfield at manager Frank Lampard’s disposal, the club needs to get rid of at least one player before the window closes. Apart from Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is another player who has been linked with an exit. (h/t Birmingham Live)