Transfer News: Newcastle United keen on taking Chelsea star Ross Barkley on loan
According to The Chronicle (h/t Mirror), Newcastle United are interested in taking Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley on loan in the summer transfer window.
The 28-year-old is, on his day, a dynamic player and has scored some important goals for Chelsea. However, he has failed to become more than a rotation player and spent last season on loan at Aston Villa.
He got off to an excellent start at Villa Park, scoring in each of his first two Premier League games. However, he was unable to sustain it and ended the campaign with just three goals and one assist in 24 appearances. It largely typified his time at Chelsea – sensational on his day, forgettable otherwise. (h/t Transfermarkt)
The Magpies brought in Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock on loan last January. The 21-year-old added an attacking impetus to a largely unimaginative Toon midfield, scoring eight times in 14 Premier League outings. With him now back at the Emirates, Newcastle hope to fill the void for the upcoming campaign with Barkley.
Chelsea could part ways with a number of players this summer and Barkley features on the clearout list. The club did not miss the player’s contributions last season and it is difficult to see why that would be different this time around. (h/t Express)
It would be ideal for Chelsea to sell the player permanently and reinvest that fee in the squad. Whether Newcastle will be willing to do business remains to be seen. The least the Blues could push for is a loan with an obligation to buy.
Barkley was once considered one of the best young talents in the Premier League. He has, however, failed to kick on and is largely characterized by his lack of consistency today. The Blues are better off looking forward and letting Barkley go. He has so far failed to showcase enough to suggest he can turn the tide should he stay put.
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The 28-year-old has so far made 86 appearances for the Blues, scoring and assisting 11 times each. Whether he has played his last game for the club remains to be seen. (h/t Transfermarkt)