Sheffield United-linked Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley 'could find new home' at Coventry City
Sheffield United-linked Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley could reportedly be offered a fresh start at Coventry City this summer.
The 32-year-old, who represented Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United as a loanee early in his career, was linked with a return to Yorkshire in January.
There was talk of interest from Sheffield United, who were said to be considering a loan swoop for the England-capped midfielder.
A move to Bramall Lane did not materialise and Barkley has since recovered from injury to make a Premier League comeback.
However, his recent start against Manchester United was his only his first in the Premier League this term.
Ross Barkley latest
According to SportsBoom, Villa will be open to offers for Barkley when the summer transfer window opens.
The report has indicated he could be given a new home by Coventry, who are on course for promotion to the Premier League.
A move to the Sky Blues would reunite Barkley with his former Chelsea boss Frank Lampard, who is currently working wonders in the Midlands.
Sheffield United’s position
Sheffield United are outside contenders for promotion from the Championship and look likely to remain in the second tier.
If they do miss out on promotion, the Blades will lose their parachute payments and find themselves under tighter budgetary constraints. Players like Barkley, therefore, could be out of reach.
Last month, the club’s chief executive Stephen Bettis said: "If we don't get promoted, it'll be the first time in eight years that we are really a Championship club.
“We've either been in the Premier League or a Championship club with parachute payments. On top of that the Premier League have already embraced a new kind of FFP (financial fair play) called SCR, squad cost ratio The EFL is going the same way.
“This is not about how big a cheque the owners can write because clubs are restricted in terms of the investment they can make."