Leeds United News have now received information on how likely a return to Yorkshire is for Ross Barkley.
There have been whispers about the England international returning to Elland Road as he struggles for action under Unai Emery at Aston Villa – playing just 30 minutes of Premier League football so far this season.
Graeme Bailey – Chief Correspondent for Leeds United News – has now investigated the rumours after contacting sources close to Leeds.
Sources: Leeds return unlikely for Ross Barkley in January
We understand there are currently no plans in place for the 31-year-old to make a return to Yorkshire.
Barkley – who made four appearances for Leeds on loan from Everton back in 2013 – is appreciated at Villa Park as a “good squad player” by Emery, while Daniel Farke would also prefer a different type of midfielder.
Bailey said: “From my understanding, I’m not sure how high a midfielder is on Leeds’ January list. Plus, I believe Barkley is on sizeable money at Villa. They currently see him as a good squad player.
“Obviously, he would probably get a bit more (playing time) at Leeds, but Leeds are pretty well stocked in midfield. Leeds will want an attacking midfielder, someone like (Emiliano) Buendia or Gabriel Sara, someone like that.”
Ross Barkley in action for Aston Villa during a Premier League clash against Tottenham
Photo by Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Barkley was also left out of the UEFA Europa League squad by Emery, reducing his chances of playing time even more.
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Leeds – who have confidence in Farke to achieve survival – only took Barkley on loan for a month, so he had little time to make an impression at Elland Road back in 2013.
Summer deal could be an option for Leeds
Interestingly, Barkley sees his contract expire in July, and Aston Villa do not hold an option to extend it.
Unless his situation in the Midlands changes between now and the end of the season, we would presume an extension is off the cards, so Leeds – who are scouting Haji Wright – could potentially sign the Liverpudlian on a free transfer this summer.
However, that is nothing more than an estimate at this moment in time, and a lot may also depend on whether Farke can guide Leeds to Premier League survival.