(Credit: Imago)
Tue 3 March 2026 9:28, UK
Sheffield United are increasingly unlikely to be able to make a move for Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The Blades would not be able to afford a deal for the 32-year-old if they remain in the Championship next season, with his wages far too high for clubs outside the Premier League to afford.
Chris Wilder’s men are still nine points off the play-offs in the second tier, and sources have indicated that failure to secure promotion would see their chances of landing Barkley disappear altogether.
The South Yorkshire outfit showed a strong interest in the former Everton star in the January window, but he remains under contract until 2027, and he is not someone who Villa are looking to sell.
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VISIT THE VILLA TRANSFER HUBUnai Emery to block Ross Barkley sale this summer
Many supporters thought that Barkley was out of contract at Villa Park at the end of the season, with the club holding the option to extend that deal by a further year.
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However, recent reports have now made it clear that the midfielder penned a straight three-year deal when he joined from Luton Town in the summer of 2024, meaning that he will not be available on a free transfer this summer.
Emery also has no intention of entertaining the idea of a sale for the veteran and still views him as a crucial squad player as part of his group.
The Villans’ Europa League campaign has prompted the boss to use almost every member of his squad with regularity so far this term, in a bid to avoid his key players becoming burned out.
Barkley has featured 11 times from the bench in the Premier League, but is still waiting for his first start of the season in league action.
Credit: Imago
Nevertheless, Emery is keen to keep him around for next term, as with European football a likely commodity again in 2026-27, he will require another squad with plenty of depth.
Aston Villa to sanction next step for loan sensation
Football Insider revealed on Monday that Championship clubs are queueing up to try and sign Aston Villa sensation Tommi O’Reilly this summer.
The 22-year-old winger has excelled during his loan spell with League Two outfit Crewe Alexandra this season, and he is now being chased by a whole host of League One and Championship sides who are willing to provide the next stage of his development.
Crewe have a reputation for developing promising young talents, and O’Reilly has starred for them this term with six goals and 12 assists in all competitions.
Villa must now decide which level they believe he is capable of playing at for next season, but it has already become clear that they will have no shortage of options available to them.
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