Premier League outfits Newcastle United, are looking to strengthen their midfield area for the next campaign and are considering move for Chelsea playmaker Ross Barkley, according to the recent reports.
The 27-year-old midfielder had an up-and-down campaign on loan at Aston Villa last term. However, the Magpies are keeping tabs on his situation at Stamford Bridge as they look to add a box-to-box midfielder to their ranks, according to The Athletic reports.
The report claims that Steve Bruce’s side hold an interest in Chelsea midfield Conor Gallagher and Ross Barkley.
And they would be keen on securing the services of the former England international midfielder even if they end up luring Arsenal attacking midfielder Joe Willock back away from the Emirates Stadium after an exceptional loan spell from the Gunners in the latter half of the last campaign.
Barkley was once was one of the most talented English players when he was rising through the Merseyside Blues youth system, however, a series of several tough injuries didn’t help to make progress.
He has made a £15million transfer to Chelsea in 2018, however, he never got a chance to become a regular starter under Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri or Frank Lampard.
Lampard showed faith in him early on in his first year at Stamford Bridge, before replacing him due to his poor form as well as off-the-field issues, such as going to a nightclub before the UCL clash against Valencia.
He was given a new lease of life last year with Aston Villa where he became one of the key players for Dean Smith’s side.
However, a hamstring injury in November has seen him out for two months, and he failed to return the form that he had at the start of 2020/21 season/
He was also in the newspapers again for the wrong reasons when he was faced with coronavirus restrictions by partying with Jack Grealish in London earlier in December.
Smith said at the end of the season that Ross Barkley started the season in a stunning form before the injury and was then inconsistent, but added: ‘One thing I can say about him is he has never shied from a challenge at all. He has been a credit to himself, certainly on the training ground with us.’
