Coventry City are eyeing a move to sign Aston Villa star Ross Barkley this summer if they get promoted to the Premier League, according to Sports Boom.
The Sky Blues are on the brink of returning to the top flight for the first time since 2001 under Frank Lampard, as they sit top of the Championship with just eight games remaining, nine points clear of third-placed Ipswich Town.
As a result, the club are already making plans to bolster their squad with experienced options to ensure they don’t go straight back down next year, and Lampard is keen to bring in a familiar face if given the opportunity as a priority.
Aston Villa Face Task to Keep Barkley
Barkley, who has been described as ‘unbelievable’, has found regular first-team football hard to come by at Villa Park under Unai Emery this season, but he made his first Premier League start in over a year against Manchester United this past weekend and scored, as they fell to a 3-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
But the former England international has seen his contract with the club extended until 2027 in order to preserve his value, and now Coventry are eyeing a move to sign him and provide him with a starting place next season.
Villa are understood to be open to allowing him to move on for the right price, and Lampard believes that his experience would prove top be invaluable to helping Coventry stay in the top flight should they secure their promotion.
Barkley Exit Makes Sense for Aston Villa
As much as Barkley has proven that he is a Premier League-level midfielder, Villa have big aspirations of reaching the Champions League and winning trophies, and the former Everton and Chelsea man isn’t good enough to make a big contribution anymore.
The 32-year-old has had a fine career, but Villa would be smart to cash in on the interest while they can to bring in a fee, and use that cash to help them upgrade their squad for next season.
GIVEMESPORT asked ChatGPT who a good replacement for Barkley would be for Villa, and this was its response:
Conor Gallagher – High-energy, box-to-box upgrade; previously linked with Villa
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – Physical, carries the ball well, adds goal threat
Enzo Le Fée – Technical playmaker, fits Emery’s possession style
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