Former Everton star Michael Ball believes Ross Barkley would welcome a return to Goodison Park this summer, and hopes the Toffees can get the deal over the line.

Barkley has spent the season on loan at Aston Villa from Chelsea, having struggled to make a real breakthrough at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea paid £15m to sign the ex-England international in 2018, and he has made 86 appearances for the club.

The 27-year-old has never played more than 27 Premier League games for the Blues in a single season.

Ball thinks that Barkley could be available this summer as Everton look to bring in some genuine dynamism to the squad, as the Toffees have a number of similar players currently in their squad.

As a result, Ball thinks the Toffees should bring their former star back to the club, and says he would welcome such a move.

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, he said: “It’s an opportunity for Everton to bring a player like Ross Barkley to the football club. It’s what they need. That dimension is lacking.

“Everton have got a lot of the same players. If, say, (Gylfi) Sigurdsson is not doing too good, he comes off to bring (Andre) Gomes on. They’re a similar type of player so you’re going to get the same dimension; it’s easy for the opposition.

“I won’t call it like a plan b but it’s like having a different dimension in midfield when you get a player like Ross Barkley who’s got the drive to get the ball and run 20, 30 yards with it up the pitch. Everton are really lacking that.”

Barkley is currently valued at £18m by Transfermarkt.