This is a rumour that has definitely come out of left field!
It seems to have originated from a Chelsea writer/podcaster, who claims that Celtic, along with Everton, Newcastle, Brighton, West Ham and Aston Villa, are all interested in signing Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley.
Having a look on Twitter, it seems that Celtic supporters are filing this one under ‘fake news’.
You never know in football, but I would have to say I agree with those views.
Barkley is apparently on £96k a week at Chelsea, and if clubs such as West Ham and Newcastle are interested in him, clubs that will be willing to match those wages while giving Barkley a chance to remain in the English Premier League, I can’t see him choosing to come to Celtic instead.
That’s if we are even interested, which I honestly don’t think we are.
Barkley would be a No.8 in out system, and we don’t need any more of them. Especially with Mooy just joining the team. If anything, if we’re looking for another midfielder, it would be a more defensive minded one to play the No.6 role that McGregor plays and he would likely push up one.
Barkley is also on the last year of his contract, so Chelsea will be looking to get some money for him.
If he had two or three years left on his deal and we were interested in taking him on loan for the season with Chelsea paying 60-70% of his wages, that’s another thing, but I think a permanent deal for Barkley, at this stage of his career is out of the question.
Take a look at the tweet below.
