Celtic and five EPL clubs battling to sign Chelsea's cap-tied England intl of Nigerian descent

Scottish Premiership champions Glasgow Celtic are interested in signing cap-tied England international of Nigerian descent Ross Barkley this summer but face competition from five English Premier League teams.

Barkley has slipped down the pecking order of midfielders at Chelsea so much so that he was omitted from the matchday squad in their Premier League opener against Everton and has not been given a shirt number for the new season.

Last season, the Anglo-Nigerian made six Premier League appearances and scored one goal.

According to Chelsea insider Simon Phillips, Barkley has an offer from Celtic to join them on a permanent deal.

Signed in January 2018, the 28-year-old has entered the last one year of his contract with the Stamford Bridge outfit.

Per the report, Brighton & Hove, Newcastle United, West Ham United, Everton and Aston Villa have emerged as his suitors in the Premier League.

Barkley was on the books of Everton for thirteen years before switching to Chelsea and enjoyed a successful loan spell at Aston Villa during the 2020-2021 season.

He was eligible to represent the Super Eagles through his Nigerian father before becoming cap-tied to England.

Igho Kingsley

Photo Credit : chelseafc.com