Sheffield United-linked Aston Villa midfielder Ross Barkley could reportedly be offered a fresh start at Coventry City this summer.
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.
Aston Villa's Ross Barkley has made just one Premier League start this season.placeholder image
Aston Villa's Ross Barkley has made just one Premier League start this season. | Nigel French/PA Wire
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.
Ross Barkley had a brief loan spell at Leeds United in 2013.placeholder image
Ross Barkley had a brief loan spell at Leeds United in 2013. | Jonathan Gawthorpe
“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."