---
title: "Leeds: Journalist confirms interest in Ross Barkley"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-journalist-confirms-interest-in-ross-barkley/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Leeds United"
published: "2021-12-07T14:10:39Z"
modified: "2021-12-07T14:10:39Z"
---

# Leeds: Journalist confirms interest in Ross Barkley

**Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley is a player Leeds United are targeting in the January transfer window, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.**

### The Lowdown: Barkley a Chelsea outcast

The 28-year-old has struggled for playing time at Stamford Bridge this season, [starting just one Premier League game](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/92547/Show/Ross-Barkley) and finding himself way down the midfield pecking order.

Barkley may still have aspirations of making England’s 2022 World Cup squad, in order to add to his [33 caps](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ross-barkley/profil/spieler/131978), but will of course may need to play more for that to happen.

The former Everton man has been [linked](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-transfer-rumours/leeds-united-ross-barkley-chelsea-premier-league-transfer-gossip-rumours-news/) with a January loan move to Leeds in recent days, as Marcelo Bielsa eyes up reinforcements in the middle of the park.

\[freshpress-quiz id=“375277″\]

### The Latest: Journalist confirms Leeds’ interest

Speaking to [*Give Me Sport*](https://www.givemesport.com/1798019-leeds-transfer-news-110kpw-star-is-on-marcelo-bielsas-list-of-targets), O’Rourke confirmed Barkley is indeed on Leeds’ list of potential signings, talking up the idea of the move happening:

> “I believe he is on their list of targets. Leeds have had a slow start to this season by their standards from last season and are sitting at the wrong end of the table.”

[Latest Leeds United news!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/latest-leeds-united-news-27/)

### The Verdict: Exciting midfield option

Barkley hasn’t fulfilled his huge promise as a youngster, having been [compared](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1286809/Chelsea-news-Ross-Barkley-Steven-Gerrard-Everton-Mark-Hughes) to Liverpool and England legend Steven Gerrard, but he remains a talented footballer who could be a good addition at Leeds.

Former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith [described](https://onefootball.com/en/news/dean-smith-heaps-praise-on-summer-signing-ross-barkley-31612480) him as ‘tremendous’ during his loan spell at Villa Park last season.

Barkley would offer something different to more defence-minded figures such as Kalvin Phillips and Adam Forshaw, [scoring and assisting eight times apiece](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/92547/History/Ross-Barkley) for Everton back in 2015/16.

Granted, he hasn’t been as prolific since then, but his ability to create chances – he has averaged [2.5 key passes](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/92547/History/Ross-Barkley) per game in the Carabao Cup this season – coupled with Bielsa hopefully improving him and re-finding that confidence in the final third, means he is worth the risk on loan.

***In other news, Phil Hay has provided a Leeds injury update. Read more [here](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/leeds-united-news/leeds-phil-hay-provides-pascal-struijk-injury-update/).***