Conte to blame for Barkley move collapse

Conte to blame for Barkley move collapse

Ross Barkley’s move to Chelsea collapsed because Antonio Conte had his phone turned off, says Joey Barton.

The Everton midfielder was close to joining Chelsea on deadline day but opted to stay at Goodison Park, claiming recovering from his injury is his main priority. However, there were several reports that the midfielder rejected a move to Stamford Bridge midway through his medical for the club – though this is something Barkley has categorically denied.

Following reports that Antonio Conte doesn’t get directly involved in transfer deals, former Premier League star Joey Barton says that Ross Barkley’s representatives were unable to contact the Italian on deadline day, which as a result put the midfielder off a deal.

“I heard a really interesting thing about what happened with the Ross Barkley transfer. Conte turned his phone off and Barkley’s representatives were trying to contact him,” said Barton on talkSPORT.

“He wanted to say ‘look, where am I going to play’, and Conte turned his phone off. That is why Barkley got cold feet and never signed.”

“He thought, ‘well, if the manager isn’t answering the phone to me he clearly doesn’t want me’, and that is why he went back to Everton.”

Despite Barkley rejecting the Blues, it is believed that his future still lies away from Everton, and reports suggest that Chelsea could still make a further move for the midfielder in January next year. Although, they will face strong competition from Spurs.