Aston Villa and Everton have both been offered the chance to sign Chelsea’s Ross Barkley, according to The Mirror.

The Lowdown: Previous loan spell

Hailed by Harry Redknapp as a player who 'has everything', Barkley spent the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Villa Park. Reports even suggested that Villa paid an £11m loan fee for the 28-year-old, who went on to make 24 Premier League appearances in the Midlands.

He scored just three times and provided one assist under Dean Smith, although a move wasn’t made permanent despite the efforts from Christian Purslow. However, it looks as if the CEO will get another chance regarding the attacking midfielder.

The Latest: Villa linked with Barkley

According to The Mirror, Chelsea are looking to offload Barkley ahead of the new season.

The report states that the Blues have offered Villa and Everton the chance to sign the 28-year-old, who will be out of contract in just under 12 months’ time.

The Verdict: Avoid

Barkley didn’t exactly shine at Villa, and Steven Gerrard now has the likes of Emiliano Buendia and Philippe Coutinho at his disposal in an attacking midfield sense.

The Chelsea and England midfielder has scored 52 senior goals during his career for club and country, but his Transfermarkt valuation has dropped dramatically since 2019 from £27m to £10.8m.

Villa could be better off looking to bring in and out-and-out central midfielder alongside a new senior forward instead of signing Barkley, despite Purslow being a big fan of the 28-year-old.