Sheffield United have made a formal move to bring in Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley on loan. Football Insider sources first broke the news. The Championship side wants the former Everton and Chelsea man to boost their ranks for the tough second half of the season.
Aston Villa Transfer News: Sheffield United Plot Ambitious Ross Barkley Loan Swoop
Chris Wilder and his staff see the potential signing as a massive coup. It is a bold move given Barkley’s high wages at Villa Park, but the Blades feel they can work out a financial deal that makes sense for everyone. Barkley’s time in the Midlands looks to be coming to an end.
His contract is up in June, though Villa do have the option to add another year. Unai Emery hasn’t used the 32-year-old much this year. In fact, Barkley hasn’t started a single game and has played only 153 minutes in total. He is currently out with a knee injury from the Wolves game in December.
That said, the medical team thinks he’ll be back shortly after the window closes. So, Sheffield United seem happy to take a chance on the English midfielder’s fitness to improve the squad. The Blades are currently 16th in the Championship after a rough start. Still, they are only nine points off the playoffs. They clearly believe a few fresh faces in January could help them make a late run for the top six.
What’s the best deal for the villa?
Letting Ross Barkley leave in January is the right move for Villa. The midfielder earns a heavy wage, around £60,000 a week, which is a lot for a player who rarely features under Emery.
Getting even some of that salary off the books would help Villa stay on the right side of Profit and Sustainability rules, or free up cash for new signings. On top of that, having a big-name veteran stuck on the bench can sometimes be a distraction. A loan move is probably better for the atmosphere of the dressing room.
Looking at the football side of things, this is a chance for Barkley to get his career back on track. With Youri Tielemans, Amadou Onana, and John McGinn ahead of him, he is unlikely to play much at Villa. The Englishman needs regular football to show he still has the quality that once made him an England regular.
Chris Wilder’s setup usually gives creative players plenty of room to run the show. Sheffield United are crying out for some calm, Premier League experience to save their season. If the Blades pay a fair share of his wages, Villa get a squad issue sorted, and Barkley gets the game time he needs. In the end, this loan looks like a win for both clubs and the player himself.
Nitish Bhan
Nitish is a football journalist with over 12 years of experience covering the Premier League and global football. He combines data-driven reporting with tactical analysis to deliver in-depth coverage for readers who want more than just match reports. A marketing graduate and lifelong football addict, Nitish has contributed to Sportskeeda,…