A claim has emerged regarding Newcastle United's interest in Ross Barkley in the summer transfer window... 

What's the talk?

Journalist Dean Jones has claimed that the England international is one of a number of players that the Tyneside club have had their eyes upon.

The reporter has stated that the Magpies are willing to do business at the right price if they think a player will improve their squad.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I think we can expect some progress. Both Pulisic and Hudson-Odoi have been looked at, so have Broja and Barkley, so Newcastle are just open to any good deals that are potentially out there that could boost their push for top seven.”

Potential Willock upgrade

Newcastle could land themselves an upgrade on Joe Willock in the middle of the park by securing a deal to sign Barkley this summer.

Both players are technical central midfielders who like to join in with attacks, with the aim of contributing at the top end of the pitch.

Barkley only played 180 minutes of football in the Premier League for Chelsea last term but registered one goal and created nine chances - a rate of 4.5 per 90 minutes.

The £96k-per-week gem was once lauded by Magpies legend Alan Shearer whilst on loan to Aston Villa, with the retired striker saying"Ross seems to have found a system that suits him and a manager who wants to play him. This is exactly what he needs.

"He now needs to find the consistency that has been lacking in his game because this is a crucial stage of his career. Ross has been spoken about in glowing terms since he was very young but he is 27 now and needs to deliver on that potential.

"At his best he is a match-winner and Villa is a great platform for him."

Barkley played 1,586 minutes during that spell and created 42 chances - 2.39 per 90 minutes - whilst also chipping in with three goals from midfield.

Willock, on the other hand, played 2,059 minutes for the Magpies in the 2021/22 campaign and provided 17 key passes (1.33 per 90), scoring two goals.

On the defensive side of the game, both players lost more than half of their individual duels in those seasons, which suggests that neither of them particularly excels off the ball, which explains why the quality that they offer while in possession is vital.

Whilst neither player is a defensive machine in midfield, the statistics suggest that Barkley would offer a lot more to Howe's team in terms of creativity. He and Willock are similar when it comes to scoring goals but the Chelsea man's chance creation appears to be at a much higher level than the current Magpies ace, and that is why he could be an upgrade on the ex-Arsenal youngster.