Chelsea 'not willing to let Barkley leave on the cheap'

Ross Barkley will not be allowed to leave Chelsea 'on the cheap' this summer amid talk of a permanent move to Aston Villa, according to reports.

The midfielder joined the midlands club on loan in September and was having an impressive season before picking up a hamstring injury which has kept him out of the team since November.

Frank Lampard is overloaded with midfielders and in need of trimming his squad. However, Birmingham Live report that the club won't lower their asking price for Barkley with the midfielder still having two-and-a-half years left on his £100,000-per-week plus contract.

There is also a chance Lampard still sees a future at Stamford Bridge for the 27-year-old.

The Blues granted the midfielder's wish to leave the club on loan after being unable to guarantee him regular playing time but called him to congratulate him in November on his impressive performances.

Barkley scored two goals and made one assist in the eight league games he played for Villa before his injury and linked up well with Jack Grealish and Ollie Watkins.

Dean Smith was full of praise for the midfielder in November and would revealed he had promised him he would get him into England's Euros squad next summer.

He has not played for Gareth Southgate's side since scoring twice in the 6-0 win over Bulgaria in October 2019.

'He's a high-calibre player. I'm thankful to Chelsea that they've loaned him to us,' said Smith back in October.

'I sold him the project here and told him I'll get him in the Euros squad and he's going to try and help us win football games. He's certainly done that in his first couple.'

While Smith would be open to a permanent move, Birmingham Live's report claims the coronavirus pandemic is costing the club around £20million on gate recipes alone.

Chelsea's determination to play hard ball means the club subsequently look into alternative options.