Everton are likely to sign Chelsea duo Ross Barkley and Michy Batshuayi before the summer transfer window slams shut on September 1, according to transfer insider Dean Jones. 

Frank Lampard is looking to guide the Toffees clear of relegation trouble after the drama that engulfed the end of the 2021-22 campaign but there is still work to be done. 

What is the latest news on the duo? 

Barkley has been linked with a return to Goodison Park after coming through the club’s academy before making the switch to Chelsea. 

According to 90min, Everton are in advanced negotiations to bring the 28-year-old back this summer and Barkley is keen on a return to his boyhood club. 

The same report details that Batshuayi has also emerged as a target, with a double swoop on the cards at Stamford Bridge. It is a move that Chelsa would apparently be all too happy to facilitate as they look to make space on their wage bill. 

Currently, Barkley and Batshuayi earn a combined £169,000 per week with the Blues. Whether they would be expected to take a pay cut to move to Everton remains to be seen. 

After Richarlison made the move to Tottenham at the start of July, the Toffees have been on the lookout for support, and the Belgian outcast could provide the answer. 

What has Jones said on Everton’s chase of the duo? 

Jones understands that there is plenty of business still expected to take place at Goodison Park before the transfer deadline. 

The transfer insider suggests that the nature of the club’s hunt for deals means a raid of Lampard’s former club becomes much more likely. 

He told GIVEMESPORT: “Everton are expecting a late flurry of business. So in situations like that you're going to turn to places where you can strike a deal. So I think both are pretty likely.”

Would the duo be good signings for Everton? 

The Toffees desperately need to strengthen both areas ahead of the new season. Richarlison has vacated his attacking role while Donny van de Beek has returned to Manchester United after an underwhelming loan. 

Barkley made the decision to leave Everton in January 2018 and has since made 99 appearances for Chelsea but has never managed to nail down a starting spot at Stamford Bridge. 

A season on loan with Aston Villa in 2020-21 showed what he still had to offer, however, scoring three goals in 21 appearances. 

Batshuayi has spent six years as a Chelsea player, but made just 77 appearances in that time, being sent out on a number of loans including with Borussia Dortmund, Valencia and Crystal Palace. 

In 77 Premier League appearances he has scored 15 goals and provided five assists.