Chelsea will step up their efforts to sign Everton midfielder Ross Barkley when the January transfer window opens, claims The Daily Telegraph.
Antonio Conte’s side came close to signing Barkley in the summer only for the 24-year-old to pull the plug on the move in order to consider his future in January.
Barkley will only have six months remaining on his current Everton deal next month and still seems destined to leave his boyhood club despite the departure of Ronald Koeman earlier this season.
The England international hasn’t featured at all this season after suffering a serious hamstring injury in pre-season but is closing in on full fitness.
It’s thought that Barkley’s preferred move would be to join Tottenham, who have also been linked his signature in the past, but Chelsea are readying their second bid for the midfielder next month.
Despite not featuring at all this season, Barkley has still created more goalscoring chances for Everton than any other team-mate since the start of the last campaign (84).
