Aston Villa were keen to sign Ross Barkley on a permanent deal after his bright start to life in the Midlands, but his form has gone to pieces in the last two months following a hamstring injury and Football Insider say they’re ‘yet to be convinced’ that he’s worth the outlay.
Dean Smith is in a ‘quandary’ over keeping the 27-year-old beyond his season-long loan from Chelsea, so his future is up in the air. Barkley would cost around £35m to sign, but Villa appear to be having second thoughts and might be considering turning their attentions elsewhere.
Barkley has made 14 appearances for Villa, scoring three goals and supplying one assist. He’s scored just one goal since October and hasn’t made an assist since November (Transfermarkt), however.
Smith dropped the England international in Villa’s win over Leeds United and might have Jack Grealish occupy his role when he returns from injury, so Barkley could find himself out of the starting lineup for the foreseeable.
Villa have had much better luck signing promising talent from the Championship than splurging on expensive out-of-favour Premier League players, so might there be better options than Barkley out there?
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It would be surprising if Villa signed Barkley at this point. He’s struggled for form in 2021 and wouldn’t be a cheap, so it’s a real gamble.
Barkley looked a cert to join Villa permanently before his hamstring injury, but he may have some work to do to convince Smith.
