Everton are plotting a double swoop of Frank Lampard’s former employers with Ross Barkley and Michy Batshuayi being targeted.
That’s according to transfer insider Dean Jones who has claimed the Toffees are interested in prising the pair of 28-year-olds away from Chelsea.
Barkley left the Merseysiders for west London back in January 2018 but his career has stalled and after just 14 appearances in all competitions at Stamford Bridge last term.
Batshuayi has also been out of favour and spent last season on loan in Turkey with Besiktas scoring 14 goals in 33 league games and he could be handed another shot in England with a move to Goodison Park.
Speaking on the Chasing Green Arrows YouTube channel on Friday night before Chelsea’s friendly with Udinese he said:
“The two people for Chelsea tonight that are not in the squad, Ross Barkley and Michy Batshuayi, a lot of rumours that I’m hearing about both of those players joining Everton potentially so just keep an eye on that one coming up.”
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A slow transfer window for Lampard’s side finally kicked into gear last week with the arrivals of Ruben Vinagre and Dwight McNeil.
Adding Barkley and Batshuayi could prove to be two shrewd acquisitions given they have played over 300 times in the top flight between them.
With Richarlison departing, the Belgian striker would be a welcome addition as despite making just 21 starts in the division he has still netted 15 times and provided five assists.
Barkley meanwhile, had become a permanent fixture in the Toffees’ line-up before his move to the capital making 150 league appearances for the club in total and while it didn’t go to plan for the born Evertonian at Chelsea he was handed a lot of opportunities when Lampard was in charge so a move could be in the offing.