Soccer Football - Carabao Cup Third Round - Chelsea v Barnsley - Stamford Bridge, London, Britain - September 23, 2020 Chelsea's Ross Barkley celebrates scoring their third goal Pool via REUTERS/Alastair Grant EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Please contact your account representative for further details.
Newcastle United have earmarked Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley as an alternative option if they are unable to lure Joe Willock back to St James’ Park, according to Shields Gazette reporter Liam Kennedy.
Former England under-21 international Willock scored eight goals in 14 appearances after joining the Magpies on loan for the second half of last season.
The 21-year-old also became the first player to score in seven consecutive Premier League fixtures since Alan Shearer.
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Willock is Newcastle boss Steve Bruce’s top target in the transfer window, with the club initially looking to agree permanent terms before exploring whether another temporary deal could be possible.
However, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has insisted Willock is part of his plans and Barkley is seen as a potential loan arrival if a deal for Willock fails to materialise.
Barkley spent last season on loan at Aston Villa, but a hamstring injury restricted him to just 24 appearances.
Kennedy believes Chelsea are willing to sanction another temporary move for the £100,000-a-week 27-year-old and Newcastle could be his destination.
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He told The Transfer Tavern: “I think if they don’t sign Joe Willock, you will probably see loan players coming in.
“Ross Barkley is interesting Newcastle United, but they can’t move on to players like him and risk taking up a loan place which may have to be used for Joe Willock.
“They really want Willock. He is their number one target.”
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