Plenty of Everton fans have been reacting on social media to reports by the Mirror, claiming West Ham United are targeting a January move for Chelsea’s Ross Barkley.
Hammers boss David Moyes is keen to reunite with Barkley having guided the England international into the Toffees first-team, and is keen to see the Irons sign the midfielder on loan this month.
Chelsea are so far refusing to sanction a mid-season exit for the 26-year-old as Blues boss Frank Lampard is insistent that he is still a key part of his plans at Stamford Bridge.
But Moyes hopes that Barkley could be attracted to the prospect of regular first-team action at the London Stadium ahead of this summer’s Euro 2020, having played just 638 minutes of football this season.
Barkley started his first Premier League game since October at the weekend when Chelsea beat Burnley 3-0, with Lampard often favouring Mateo Kovacic, N’Golo Kante, Mason Mount and Jorginho.
Moyes is determined to recruit fresh legs in the core his midfield unit this month, and is considering AC Milan’s Franck Kessie as an alternative to Barkley.
Would you welcome Barkley back to Goodison?
Yes
No
Chelsea signed Barkley from Everton in January 2018 for £15million, and awarded the England international a five-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge as he secured a “fresh start” after 13 years at Goodison Park.
Barkley had not played for the final seven months of his time on Merseyside due to a hamstring injury, and has been blighted by fitness issues in South West London, too.
A reoccurrence of his hamstring issue prevented the 26-year-old from featuring in nine matches in the 2017/18 campaign following his move to Chelsea, while a nasty turned ankle kept him out of action for 11 games earlier this term.
Here are some of the messages shared as Everton fans reacted to West Ham’s interest in Chelsea’s Barkley…
— The USM Toffee Blues (@EvertonNewsFeed) January 15, 2020
And so it begins. https://t.co/klD1dSM6Zn
— David Alexander Hughes (@DAHughes_) January 15, 2020
Not guna lie. I’d have him back the rat🐀
— Lee McDonald (@LeeMcDo94424683) January 16, 2020
Moyes’ reunion 2020 liek
— Dara Kavanagh (@OfficalDaraKav) January 15, 2020
Always going to be his level. Or Newcastle
— Paul Albertsen (@AlbertsenPaul) January 15, 2020
Laughing more at Chelsea “star”
— Kristian (@kr12t1an_R0j) January 15, 2020
Hahaha have him….another Rodwell
— joph (@joemc1878) January 15, 2020
Same old, same old
— doylie45 (@doylie45) January 15, 2020
In other Everton news, the club ‘could move’ for an in-demand £4.5m-rated midfielder this month.