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Barking mad

Chelsea transfer news: Ross Barkley turns down Blues… by changing his mind AFTER the medical

Wantaway Everton midfielder looked set to join Antonio Conte's men in a £35million deal

ROSS BARKLEY has rejected the chance to join Chelsea... by changing his mind after the medical.

The wantaway Everton ace looked set to sign on the dotted line after Chelsea had agreed a £35million fee with the Toffees.

 Ross Barkley turned his back on a move to Chelsea
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Ross Barkley turned his back on a move to Chelsea
 Antonio Conte would be left frustrated after missing out on Ross Barkley
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Antonio Conte would be left frustrated after missing out on Ross BarkleyCredit: Rex Features

Barkley had already agreed personal terms to join the Stamford Bridge outfit.

But after arriving at Chelsea's Cobham training ground, Barkley dramatically U-turned on his decision to sign for the Premier League champions, according to Everton owner Farhad Moshiri.

Moshiri told Sky Sports News: "The clubs agreed a deal of £35 million. And I think personal terms were agreed and after the medical we had heard from Paul Martin, Ross Barkley’s agent that the player had changed his mind.

“And he wanted to reconsider his position during the January transfer window. That is the latest we have been advised. He is currently injured so technically he will be with us because he is under contract for another year.

“So I think it is a bit surprising but that is football.”

The 23-year-old will now stay at Ronald Koeman's side and reconsider his next move during the January transfer window.

 Ross Barkley was on the brink of joining Chelsea
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Ross Barkley was on the brink of joining ChelseaCredit: Rex Features
 Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rejected Chelsea to join Liverpool
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Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain rejected Chelsea to join LiverpoolCredit: Rex Features

Barkley has battled with a hamstring injury all summer which has ruled him out of action until November.

Barkley’s sudden U-turn will not help relations between the two clubs which are still frosty after the bitter transfer tug of war over former Everton defender John Stones in 2015.

Everton were furious at Chelsea over the way they handled matters and Stones went on to join Manchester City a year later for £47m.

 Relations between Chelsea and Everton are still soured over John Stones' transfer
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Relations between Chelsea and Everton are still soured over John Stones' transferCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

Barkley will have only six months remaining on his contract when the next transfer window opens which means Everton may have to take a huge hit on his transfer fee as he could leave for nothing next summer.

 

It has been a hugely frustrating window for Chelsea with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain also rejecting the champs in favour of Liverpool.

But the Blues could get a deal over the line for Leicester's Danny Drinkwater in a £30m deal.



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