Chelsea star Ross Barkley chased by trio of Prem clubs as Newcastle and Leeds join transfer race for midfielder

NEWCASTLE and Leeds have joined Burnley in the race to sign Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley, according to reports.

The former England man, 27, was expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer after spending last season at Aston Villa.

RexRoss Barkley could leave Chelsea in January[/caption]

But a move failed to materialise, with the Everton academy graduate staying in West London.

SunSport exclusively revealed that Burnley are keen to sign Barkley on loan in January in a bid to boost their survival hopes.

But they are reportedly set to face competition.

According to 90min, Leeds and Newcastle also see Barkley as an attainable option.

The 33-cap star spent a brief period on loan at Elland Road in 2013 – playing four matches under Neil Warnock.

As for the Toon, new chiefs are busy putting together a list of attainable players that can aid their battle against the drop.

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Barkley features on that list, with intermediaries having already reached out to the Magpies to offer his services.

Newcastle are also interested in Ruben Loftus-Cheek – but the 25-year-old could yet have a future at Stamford Bridge.

The academy graduate has made six appearances for the Blues in all competitions this term, including starts against Southampton and Brentford in their last two Premier League games.

Barkley, meanwhile, has played three times, all from the substitutes’ bench.

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GettyRuben Loftus-Cheek is also on Newcastle’s radar[/caption]