Chelsea have been heavily linked with Russian wonderkid Aleksandr Golovin, and as the deal edges closer Newcastle should swoop in and steal Ross Barkley.

What's the word?

Barkley’s transfer to Chelsea was all quite bizarre, as the young Englishman looked destined to join last summer for a huge fee.

Medical issues forced the deal to be put on hold until January, and the midfielder has hardly kicked a ball since making the switch, playing just twice in the Premier League for the Blues.

His chances could be even fewer this season, as new boss Maurizio Sarri is looking to transform the midfield by adding Golovin to the capture of Jorginho.

Golovin’s CSKA teammate even posted on Instagram to wish him good luck at Chelsea this weekend, so it seems like just a matter of time before Barkley is pushed further down the pecking order.

Barkley may not be the right fit for Sarri’s football at Chelsea, but his passion, drive and knack of scoring wondergoals wouldn’t go amiss on Tyneside, where Rafael Benitez is crying out for a top signing.

The Blues may be willing to loan the 24 year-old out to revive his career, and we all know Mike Ashley would love to get another deal done without spending a penny, so it could be a win for all parties.

[brid autoplay="true" video="255857" player="12034" title="Watch Everton's opening fixtures for the 201819 Premier League season"]

Better than Perez?

Barkley’s hamstring injury and subsequent surgery certainly derailed his progress, but there is still a top player there waiting to explode. The 22-cap youngster could be the perfect fit as Rafa’s new number ten, where there is currently very little depth to challenge Ayoze Perez.

The Chelsea outcast is fantastic at driving forward with the ball at his feet, and his tenaciousness and energy would get fans off their seats every time he has the ball.

He is also a better playmaker than he often gets credit for, mostly because he draws several defenders towards him when he goes on one of his patented forward bursts, which allows him to slip his teammates the ball in acres of space.

Above all else though, Barkley just knows how to get goals from midfield, scoring 21 Premier League goals for Everton, several of those as a teenager. He is brilliant shooting from outside the box, can finish with either foot, and has that almost Frank Lampard-esque ability to arrive late in the box to bury half chances.

If Ashley is going to be as frugal as we all expect this summer, then a loan move for Barkley could the perfect transfer. He is passionate, talented, extremely powerful and has a bit of a mean streak as well.

So, Newcastle fans, would you back a loan move for Barkley? Let us know your thoughts by voting in the poll below…