Chelsea are “set to reopen” talks with Ross Barkley, claims the Daily Star, with the paper reporting that Blues boss Antonio Conte wants the Everton star as support for Cesc Fabregas.
The reigning champions were first linked to the 24-year-old midfielder in the summer but the Star says that Barkley “snubbed them” for reasons best known to himself.
Since then the England international hasn’t played a game for the struggling Toffees because of a hamstring injury and it appears he’s been spending his time on the sidelines mulling over his future.
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With Tottenham also tailing Barkley, the Star says he is “seeking game time away from Goodison Park”, and will weigh up his options between now and the start of the new year transfer period.
New Everton manager Sam Allardyce doesn’t want to lose his midfielder but with his contract expiring next summer, the pragmatic course of action is to cash in on Barkley next month rather than watch him leave on a free in June.
The Star says Chelsea are in prime position to sign him, and despite the snub in the summer they “are ready to make contact again”.
Conte believes that Barkley could complement Fabregas and he’ll look to persuade him to make the move to Stamford Bridge by reminding him he’s recently switched to a five-man midfield that offers him the prospect of regular games.
Meanwhile goal.com warn the Blues that they “risk” losing Eden Hazard unless they can turn things around in the second half of the season.
Trailing Manchester City by 14 points in the Premier League, Chelsea are also-rans in the title race and they now face Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League.
According to goal.com, if they fail to land any silverware this season that could have serious implications for Hazard’s future. Apparently, Real Madrid are “watching and waiting” to see how contract extension talks evolve between Chelsea and the Belgian, and should they stall they will make their move in the summer.
