Sport nationEverton FC has suffered a transfer blow as former midfielder Ross Barkley is set to join Aston Villa in a £5m move. Barkley, who played over 170 times for Everton before leaving for Chelsea in 2018, was a target for the Toffees as they look to bolster their midfield options.
However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Aston Villa have reached a verbal agreement with Luton Town to sign Barkley, with a fee of £5m agreed upon. The move is subject to medical tests and the player’s formal signature, which is expected to be completed at the beginning of July.
Everton had hoped to reunite with Barkley, who was a standout performer for Luton Town last season, scoring 10 goals and providing 10 assists in 36 appearances. His impressive form had alerted several Premier League clubs, including Everton, who saw him as a viable option to strengthen their midfield.
Barkley’s signing would have been a coup for Everton, given their current circumstances. The club is facing uncertainty over their future, with a takeover bid from 777 Partners collapsing and their finances under scrutiny. As a result, they are likely to have to look for bargain signings or players available on loan.
With Andre Gomes and Dele Alli leaving the club, and Amadou Onana likely to be sold, Barkley would have fit perfectly into Sean Dyche’s team. He would have slotted into a similar role to what he enjoyed at Luton Town last season, providing creativity and goals from midfield.
However, with Barkley set to join Aston Villa, Everton will have to look elsewhere for a midfield bargain. The club is likely to have to scour the market for players in similar situations to Barkley, who are available for a low fee or on loan.
The signing of Barkley would have been a statement of intent from Everton, showing that they are still capable of attracting quality players despite their financial constraints. However, with the move now unlikely to happen, the club will have to regroup and look for alternative options.
In contrast, Aston Villa will see Barkley as a great addition to their squad depth, providing them with a creative option in midfield. While he may not be a starter, he will provide a different dimension to their attack, and his experience in the Premier League will be invaluable.
Overall, the move is a blow for Everton, who had hoped to reunite with a former star. However, they will have to move on and look for other options to strengthen their midfield. With the transfer window set to open soon, the club will be busy trying to find the right players to fit into Sean Dyche’s system.
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