Ross Barkley, who spent time on loan at Sheffield Wednesday in 2012, is in talks to sign for Middlesbrough, according to TEAMtalk.
Barkley, now age 29, is currently a free agent after spending the 2022/23 season with French Ligue 1 side Nice. He joined the club after his Chelsea exit last summer and went on to feature 27 times in Ligue 1 last time round, scoring four as Nice finished in 9th.
But the former Everton and Chelsea man is now searching for a new club and Middlesbrough could hand him a Championship lifeline, with Boro boss Carrick having reportedly held talks with the 33-cap former England international.
Barkley broke through the ranks at Everton and made an early impression as a youngster in the Premier League. He made his Premier League debut during the 2011/12 season and then spent time on loan with Sheffield Wednesday in the 2012/13 season in the Championship, featuring 13 times in the league and scoring four goals before being recalled by the Toffees.
Barkley in the Championship?
It’s certainly a surprising rumour. But TEAMtalk‘s report seems to suggest that it’s a move that could come to fruition and for Middlesbrough, it actually might be a very shrewd signing.
He has bags of experience in the Premier League and in Europe and on the international stage too, so having him in their ranks for the upcoming Championship season would be very helpful.
And if Barkley joins then he’d be lining up against Sheffield Wednesday next season. It’s been more than a decade since Barkley was at Wednesday and in the time since he’s won a number of domestic titles and has represented England at a World Cup.
But the signs at Hillsborough were promising, so it’s no surprise that Barkley went on to succeed.