Aston Villa at now or never stage with Ross Barkley contract as Coventry eye bargain deal
Aston Villa must make a final decision regarding Ross Barkley’s contract situation, with Coventry City lining up a summer move for the midfielder.
The veteran has been a useful option for Unai Emery at times this season, but is now heading into the final months of his contract, and it looks increasingly likely that he could leave for free this summer.
There was interest from the Championship in the former Everton man during the recent January transfer window, and Frank Lampard is now prepared to offer him the chance to stay in the Premier League at the CBS Arena.
Villa have allowed his contract to slip towards its final stages, and it is surely now or never for them if they are to trigger their option to keep hold of him for another year.
Villa’s transfer plans are set to see them try and strengthen their group further ahead of next season, but Emery could yet see a role for Barkley in his 2026-27 plans.
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VISIT THE VILLA TRANSFER HUBRoss Barkley keen to leave Aston Villa
Barkley played a key role for Luton after their promotion from the Championship back in 2022-23, and Lampard is now seemingly targeting him to do a similar thing for Coventry next season.
The 47-year-old is looking to add experience to his title-winning group, according to Alan Nixon via his Patreon account, and Barkley is seen as an “ideal” option on a free transfer.
| Stats | Barkley 2025-26 | Barkley 2024-25 |
| Apps (Starts) | 17 (4) | 20 (3) |
| G/A | 2 | 4 |
| Chances Created per 90 | 1.13 | 1.42 |
| Successful Dribbles per 90 | 1.62 | 1.9 |
| Tackles per 90 | 1.62 | 2.21 |
| Duels Won per 90 | 6.47 | 5.54 |
He has started just four games in the Premier League this term, and now appears to be ready to move on in search of more regular football as he enters the latter stages of his career.
Barkley is understood to be “keen” to try and find a new home, but his lofty wage demands are expected to put a limit on the number of potential suitors who could make a move for him.
His stance regarding a move makes any stay at Villa Park unlikely at this stage, but Emery and Co. may still be able to tempt him with a last-minute contract offer.
However, if that scenario is to play out, then the Villans simply must act immediately, as Barkley will surely be having conversations with other clubs in the coming weeks.
Barkley out of reach for Championship clubs
Football Insider revealed back in March that Sheffield United will be unable to move for Barkley this summer due to his wage demands, and that is likely to be a consistent issue for Championship clubs.
The Blades showed a strong interest in him in the winter, but failure to push towards the play-off places and a potential Premier League return has cast major doubt on them moving back in for a deal.
The only way that second-tier clubs will be able to move for Barkley is if the player himself is willing to make a significant compromise on his wages, but that may depend on just how desperate he is to be a regular starter.
Failure to lower his demands could narrow the star’s options drastically, which in turn may play perfectly into Coventry’s hands if they are able to make it work financially.
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