Chelsea have not given up on signing Everton midfielder Ross Barkley, according to Daily Mail journalist Matt Barlow.
The Blues have reportedly made contact to find it what it will take for the 24 year old to make the move to Stamford Bridge rather than to Tottenham.
Barkley is said to be keener on a switch to Spurs as he believes he will be given more first team opportunities by manager Mauricio Pochettino, but it seems Antonio Conte’s switch to a five man midfield could help the England international to change his mind.
Cesc Fabregas has played in front of two holding midfielders, and behind a front two of Alvaro Morata and Eden Hazard, in recent weeks, and the Everton midfielder could be seen as an ideal alternative to the Spaniard in some matches.
Chelsea boss Conte has bemoaned the number of games that the Blues are having to play, and will no doubt be keen to strengthen his numbers in the January transfer window, with Barkley likely to be prime target to ease the pressure off the likes of Fabregas and other players.
