Report: Club close to finalising loan move for ‘fantastic’ Chelsea player, their window is still open

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Galatasaray are reportedly close to signing Chelsea’s Ross Barkley on loan.

According to Ajansspor, Turkish side Galatasaray are on the verge of finalising a loan deal for the 28-year-old.

The transfer deadline-day in Turkey is 8 February, so there is still time for them to get this move over the line.

Barkley, who’s played just 12 Chelsea games across all competitions so far this season, is a bit-part player in the current squad at Stamford Bridge.

The Englishman spent last season out on loan with Aston Villa, but he’s now being linked with a move abroad for the first time in his career.

He was dubbed as “fantastic” by Blues manager Thomas Tuchel earlier in the season. However, the attacking midfielder is competing against so many talented teammates for minutes on the pitch.

Chelsea exit inevitable

For Barkley, he should be pushing for this loan deal to go through in the next few days. Any hope of a domestic move is closed now the English window is shut, but there may be a chance to play more regularly in the next few months overseas.

The playmaker’s contract at the Bridge doesn’t expire until 2023. It’s surely a matter of time before he leaves on a permanent basis, though.

He looked a potential bargain when Chelsea signed him for £15million (BBC) from Everton in January 2018, but he’s never really become a key figure for the London club or lived up to the potential.

His Blues record so far is 11 goals and 11 assists in 98 club appearances.

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