Relegated former Chelsea star Ross Barkley ‘set for immediate return to Premier League with Champions League side keen’
ROSS BARKLEY is tipped to rejoin Aston Villa – despite Manchester United also showing interest in Luton’s star man.
After qualifying for the Champions League, Villa are reportedly in “advanced talks” over recruiting the 30-year-old ex-Chelsea midfielder.
Barkley‘s inspirational season failed to keep the Hatters up but led to calls for a place at Euro 2024, five years after the last of his 33 England caps.
The Merseysider has arguably produced his finest football since 2018 – when Chelsea paid Everton £15milion for the then-prodigy.
Barkley’s four years at Stamford Bridge proved to be a massive frustration, with poor form and then limited opportunities.
He spent 2020-21 on loan at Villa before departing Chelsea permanently a year later to spend a single campaign with Ligue 1 club Nice.
Luton pounced for him in August 2023 after squeezing back into the Premier League via the play-offs.
Now The Guardian reckon negotiations on a switch to Unai Emery’s Villa are already at a serious stage – with Barkley keen on the move.
United have also been linked to the all-round ace, partly as he impressed Red Devils’ minority owner Sim Jim Ratcliffe while at Ineos-owned Nice.
Barkley said last month: “I want to play in the Premier League. I want to play in Europe again.
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“I feel like for the next three years maybe I’ll still be in my prime years.”
Villa are thought to be in the market for two midfielders in all, plus a full-back and a forward.
Chelsea’s England workhorse Conor Gallagher is a known target for Emery.
It’s understood Villa might be willing to include Jhon Duran in a swap deal.
Mauricio Pochettino‘s Blues have long admired the 20-year-old Colombian.