Ross Barkley

Luton Town midfielder Ross Barkley is in talks to join Aston Villa on a permanent transfer. Barkley, 30, joined Luton as a free agent last summer after leaving French club Nice and made 37 appearances for Rob Edwards’ side, scoring five goals, but was unable to prevent the club’s relegation from the Premier League. Barkley’s contract at Luton runs beyond this summer and Villa must agree a transfer fee to secure the services of the former Everton and Chelsea player. The central midfielder spent the 2020-21 campaign on loan at Villa, where he scored three times in 24...

The players lighting up the league from outside the top 10

Barkley has been an influential attacking force for new club Luton but his impact has been coming from a different position to the past

There were flashes of the player Chelsea signed from Everton five and a half years ago as Barkley returned to Stamford Bridge

Ross Barkley is responding in the best possible fashion to the limited game time and that is winning some respect

The suspicion lingers that for a number of players, there is talent left yearning to belong yet with no long-term future at Chelsea

Visit of old boy Barkley with Villa highlights the lack of goals from Everton’s midfield - an area they may want to strengthen this summer

Ross Barkley should be approaching his prime, but overall progress has stalled despite making a bright start to his time at Aston Villa

After a scintillating start to his season's loan at Villa, Barkley has struggled to recapture that form following a two-month injury layoff

With a handful of games before the European Championship - assuming it goes ahead - who could make a late surge into the England squad?

Ross Barkley is a seasoned Premier League player, a game-changer and one of Villa's shining lights but now he is out injured

The biggest test of Villa's campaign now comes on Sunday lunchtime against Southampton, who have also started the new season brightly

England international is the latest shrewd addition - if Dean Smith can get him back on track he will bring goals and creativity to Villa

Chelsea still want Chilwell, Rice and Havertz and believe Champions League qualification will help them as they try to complete those deals