Everton and Aston Villa could scupper Newcastle and agree swap deal with Ross Barkley
Everton could find a way to welcome back Ross Barkley from Aston Villa in January.
Barkley has been linked with an Everton return in the past, but has never found himself back on Merseyside since leaving in 2018.
The Englishman had struggled away from the Toffees, but refound his form at Luton Town before Barkley became of interest to Everton again.
Aston Villa won the race to sign Barkley on a cut-price deal from Kenilworth Road, and he has gone on to play a bit-part role under Unai Emery.
David Moyes could soon welcome Barkley to the Hill Dickinson Stadium in a deal which could cause frustration for Newcastle United.
James Garner exit could open up Ross Barkley return at Everton
The 31-year-old has picked up so much positive experience over the year that could serve him well if he were to pull on a blue shirt again.
He also has a hugely positive relationship with Jack Grealish that could serve the Toffees well across the second half of the season.
Barkley would likely come in as an alternative to James Garner after he was linked to Newcastle ahead of the January transfer window.
There have also been reports of interest from Aston Villa, something which Moyes and Co. could utilise to their own advantage this winter.
Everton could ask the Villans whether they would table a cash plus Barkley deal if they want to sign Garner in January.
Both are out of contract in the summer, so agreeing a January deal could prove to be beneficial for all parties at this stage.
Aston Villa could sign Garner ahead of Newcastle
The ex-Manchester United midfielder has a sizable decision to make before the end of January about where he sees his career going.
He is bound to have a wide range of options available on whether to pen a new deal on Merseyside or to agree a move elsewhere.
If the latter is what Garner wants to do, the Toffees need to make a deal beneficial for them rather than losing the versatile midfielder on a free transfer.
Getting Barkley in could prove to be a silver lining to a potentially frustrating situation if a regular starter does opt to move on.
The Goodison academy product would be welcomed back and would represent a better deal than losing Garner for a small fee alone to Newcastle.
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