Report: Chelsea failed to sell 27-year-old midfielder this summer due to £110k-a-week salary

Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley had interest from West Brom on deadline day

According to the Telegraph (Subscription Required) [h/t Daily Mail], Chelsea failed in their efforts to offload Ross Barkley this summer. The midfielder was linked with a move to West Brom on deadline day. However, the player’s extensive wage demands were not fulfilled by the Baggies which saw the player left stranded in the Chelsea team.

The former Everton star has fallen down the pecking order at Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel who prefers to rely on N’Golo Kante & Jorginho in the midfield. The English midfielder, however, was presented with an opportunity to join West Brom in fulfilling his desire to play regular football. But the player’s £110,000 a week wage demand was declined by the Baggies.

Ross Barkley of Chelsea spend a season-long at Aston Villa.
Ross Barkley of Chelsea spent a season-long at Aston Villa.

The 27-year old midfield ace was also sent to Aston Villa last season on loan, where the player scored only 3 goals in 24 matches for the team in the Premier League. This stint at Villa did not help his case to get regular game time at Chelsea and since the start of the season, the player has failed to feature in the Premier League game since the opening day.

Chelsea have a midfield trio of Jorginho, Kante and Mateo Kovacic. The Blues also added more beef to their ranks by adding Saul Niguez this summer on a loan deal from Atletico Madrid. Ross Barkley will struggle to get game time with such options for the Chelsea manager to chose from.

The Chelsea boss was also frustrated to see the player failing to have his desired move this summer, he said:

Ross Barkley is yet to feature in a Premier League game for Chelsea this season.
Ross Barkley is yet to feature in a Premier League game for Chelsea this season.

“He tried to go on loan again, to find a club, but it is not easy. The situation out there, the financial impact from corona to clubs abroad and clubs also within the country is huge.

“It’s hard to see people struggling and struggling with the situation. But the quality that Ross brings to the pitch could help a lot of clubs in Europe.”

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Ross Barkley will be hoping to get a few opportunities at the club under Thomas Tuchel until he finds a suitor in a club who are open to his demands. Till that time comes, Ross Barkley is set to be at Stamford Bridge.