Former Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is on the verge of completing a transfer to Aston Villa, a Champions League club, for a modest fee. According to reports, Barkley’s impressive performances for Luton Town in the 2023-24 season have earned him a move back to the top tier of English football.
Barkley, 30, has had a tumultuous career since breaking through the ranks at Everton, where he played 179 times and scored 17 goals. His potential was hailed as one of the Premier League’s best upcoming talents, but his move to Chelsea in January 2017 for £15 million was marked by controversy. At Stamford Bridge, he struggled to make an impact, playing only 100 times and scoring 12 goals, and was eventually loaned out to Aston Villa for the 2020-21 campaign.
Seeking a fresh start, Barkley joined Ligue 1 outfit Nice in 2022 but managed only four goals in 27 matches. However, his move to Luton Town last season proved to be a masterstroke, as he thrived in the Premier League, scoring five goals and recording six assists in 37 appearances. Despite Luton’s relegation, Barkley’s performances caught the attention of Aston Villa, who are willing to pay a modest fee to secure his services.
According to The Guardian, Barkley’s contract at Luton runs into next season, but Villa are eager to bring him back to Villa Park, where he spent a successful loan spell in 2020-21. The move would be a significant coup for Villa, who finished fourth in the Premier League last season and will compete in the Champions League next term.
Barkley’s desire to play in the Premier League and Europe again was evident in a recent interview, where he stated, “I want to play in the Premier League. I want to play in Europe again. I feel like for the next three years maybe I’ll still be in my prime years.” His move to Aston Villa would offer him the opportunity to achieve both goals and potentially revive his career.
The transfer would also mark a return to the top flight for Barkley, who has experienced a rollercoaster of ups and downs since leaving Everton in 2017. His reunion with Aston Villa, a club where he has previously thrived, could be the catalyst for a successful next chapter in his career.
In conclusion, Ross Barkley’s impending transfer to Aston Villa is a testament to his hard work and determination to succeed at the highest level. Despite facing challenges in his career, Barkley remains a talented midfielder with a lot to offer, and his move to Villa could be a shrewd piece of business for the Champions League club.