Chelsea are having doubts over their pursuit of Aaron Ramsey due to the improved form of two current Blues midfielders, according to reports. Ramsey’s contract at the Emirates expires next summer and he is widely expected to leave the club in the summer, if not earlier.
But according to the Daily Star, Chelsea have been so impressed by Ross Barkley and Ruben Loftus-Cheek that they are reconsidering their move for Ramsey.
The English duo struggled under former boss Antonio Conte but have enjoyed a renaissance under Maurizio Sarri.
Barkley scored his first Blues goal in the 3-0 win at Southampton prior to the last international break, in which he played for England against Croatia and Spain.
And the midfielder bagged in the games against Manchester United and Burnley to make it three in three.
Loftus-Cheek, meanwhile, netted his first career hat-trick when he bagged all three in Chelsea’s 3-1 win over BATE Borisov last week.
He followed it up with another goal at Burnley to take his tally to four in his last three games after failing to score against Derby.
It provides a selection headache for Sarri, who was expected to stick with a midfield trio of Jorginho, N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic for the majority of the season.
And the signing of Ramsey now seems excessive for the Stamford Bridge side, who also have former Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas in their ranks.
Burnley 0-4 Chelsea: Ross Barkley stars with goal and assist as Chelsea sparkle in win over Burnley despite Eden Hazard’s absence
Manchester United and Liverpool are thought to be interested in signing Ramsey next year.
He would be available on a free transfer next summer but clubs could agree a cut-price deal in January or a Bosman deal.
Arsenal withdrew a contract offer for Ramsey earlier in the year and he has been linked with following former chief executive Ivan Gazidis to AC Milan.
But Unai Emery already have a ready-made replacement in the shape of Emile Smith Rowe, who scored the winner against Blackpool on Wednesday night.