Chelsea Prepare New January Bid For Everton Star Midfielder

According to reports in the English press, Premier League champions Chelsea will renew their interest in bringing Everton midfielder Ross Barkley to the club upon the opening of the winter transfer window next month.

The story surrounding Three Lions international Barkley’s future at Goodison Park was one of the talking points of the summer in England, after the 24-year-old made clear his intention to depart the club.

Additionally, former Everton manager Ronald Koeman openly admitted that his star midfielder would be moving on, with the Toffees having secured the signature of Gylfi Sigurdsson from Swansea City on the 16th of August in anticipation of his departure.

This resulted in a straight fight between capital rivals Chelsea and Tottenham for Barkley’s services.

On transfer deadline day, it looked for all intents and purposes as though the former had secured a deal for the in-demand playmaker, with Everton having accepted a bid of £35 million.

However, the transfer surprisingly collapsed at the last minute, with Toffees shareholder Farhad Moshiri revealing in an interview with Sky Sports:

‘Well the two clubs agreed a deal of £35m.’

‘Personal terms were agreed, but after the medical we heard from Paul Martin, Ross Barkley’s agent, that he changed his mind.’

‘And he wanted to reconsider his position during the January window.’

‘That is the latest we have been advised.’

However, despite Barkley having reportedly angered both Antonio Conte and Chelsea’s board with his last-minute decision to remain at Goodison Park, reports in the English media today claim that the Blues will nevertheless return with a fresh offer for his services next month.

It is as of yet unclear whether Barkleyfits into Sam Allardyce’s plans on Merseyside, with the English tactician having quickly reinvigorated the Toffees following his taking over at the club just two weeks ago, all with Barkley still sidelined with a long-term hamstring problem.