Barkley leaves Chelsea by mutual agreement

Chelsea have released Ross Barkley from his contract, with the England international becoming a free agent.

Barkley has not been issued a squad number for the new season, having made just six Premier League appearances last term.

The midfielder was signed from Everton in January 2018 but never managed to cement his place as a regular starter under Antonio Conte, Maurizio Sarri, Frank Lampard or Thomas Tuchel.

He spent the 2020-21 season on loan at Aston Villa, where he appeared to be forging a promising partnership with Jack Grealish, but his form faltered and his move was not made permanent.

On Monday, three days before the transfer window closed, Chelsea confirmed they had agreed to cut ties with the 28-year-old, whose contract was due to expire at the end of the season.

Barkley has been linked with a return to Everton and could be the first of several Stamford Bridge exits this week, with Billy Gilmour, Conor Gallagher, Armando Broja and Trevoh Chalobah all attracting interest, according to reports. Callum Hudson-Odoi, meanwhile, is set to join Bayer Leverkusen on loan.