With the Spaniard leaving for Old Trafford it will open the door for Barkley.
As Juan Mata’s expected £37m transfer to Manchester United draws closer, Chelsea are lining up a swoop for Everton starlet Ross Barkley to replace the Spain international, reports the Telegraph.
The Blues have a long-term project to attract the England international to Stamford Bridge as they look to increase their pool of homegrown players.
With Mata at the club they have their maximum number of non-English over-21 stars and with Ashley Cole, Frank Lampard and John Terry all approaching the end of their careers this could become a problem.
Therefore Jose Mourinho is aiming to sign more talent from England, with Southampton left-back Luke Shaw also a target for the west London side.
Barkley has been in impressive form for the Toffees this season and has been relied upon to fill the important No.10 role by manager Roberto Martinez – despite having only recently turned 20.
The Englishman has played 21 times in all competitions this term, scoring four goals and also earning the midfielder’s first ever caps for the Three Lions national team.
With Kevin de Bruyne having been sold to Wolfsburg for £16m and Mata’s departure seemingly imminent, there is now room for recruitment in attacking midfield.
The two Premier League clubs have a good relationship after the Blues allowed striker Romelu Lukaku to go on-loan to Goodison Park on transfer deadline day back in September 2013.
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and technical director Michael Emenalo met Everton chairman Bill Kenwright in London recently as a deal for Barkley looks to be edging closer.
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