Transfer News: Fringe Chelsea midfielder targeted by Benitez for loan move in January

Everton target Chelsea star Ross Barkley on loan deal in January transfer window

According to The Telegraph (Subscription Required), Everton have shortlisted Chelsea outcast, Ross Barkley, as a target for a loan deal in the January transfer window. He has found it difficult to break into the starting lineup even when the team went through an injury crisis in midfield.

Rafael Benitez would welcome the addition of Barkley on a short-term deal as he looks to bolster their squad next month. The midfielder could be allowed to leave on loan in January if Thomas Tuchel gives his approval for it to be facilitated.

However, it remains to be seen whether Tuchel would do that amidst the ongoing injury issues that have affected his squad. If the transfer gets finalised, the England international would be making a return to his old team after the West London club had purchased him four years ago.

Barkley to Everton?

The 28-year-old has made just one start in the Premier League and was left on the bench in recent times. Saul Niguez, who had a forgettable campaign, was trusted more in this period, which paints a clear picture of the current situation.

Given our injury issues, there are questions about whether it would be wise to let the Chelsea outcast leave if more injuries or suspensions affect us in the future. Then there is the issue of the Omicron variant, which cannot be overlooked in the current scenario, and how it can suddenly make several players unavailable for selection at a time.

We are still involved in all possible competitions this season which calls for a healthy squad in terms of depth. It might not be the best decision to let the England midfielder leave in that perspective. Time will tell whether the club decides to let him go or not as the winter transfer window draws close with each passing day.

We have been linked to the Toffees left-back Lucas Digne for a potential transfer next month. Ben Chilwell will miss the rest of the campaign through surgery on his knee, and we require reinforcement in that position. Digne could be just what we need, but time will tell whether these two interests would play a role in facilitating the other or not.

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There is no indication of both transfer interests being linked to one another. But if that ever turns out to be the case in the future, helping the Toffees by sending out Barkley on a temporary basis could be a useful sweetener to further our own interests.

And then again, the former Everton playmaker would have dreams of his own. While it looks unlikely right now, a good spell away from Chelsea can tilt Gareth Southgate’s head towards picking him for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Only time will tell what comes of this apparent interest but until then, Barkley acts as a useful safety net when we require depth in midfield.