Everton manager Frank Lampard wants to bring Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley to Goodison Park, claims journalist Simon Phillips.

However, Phillips has doubts over whether Everton supporters would welcome the Englishman back given the nature of his departure.

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GiveMeSport Transfer News

What is the latest news involving Barkley?

90min reported at the end of July that Everton were in discussions to bring Barkley back to the club.

The 28-year-old left the Toffees for Chelsea back in January 2018 and there was a lot of controversy surrounding his move.

Due to his contract situation, Everton were only able to make £15m from his sale despite having accepted a £35m offer from Chelsea in the 2017 summer transfer window, only for Barkley to reject a switch at the time.

He, of course, eventually got a move to the former European champions, but his future now looks to be away from Stamford Bridge after not receiving a squad number for the season.

What has Phillips said about Barkley and Everton?

Phillips has told GIVEMESPORT that Everton are indeed interested in re-signing Barkley this summer. However, the journalist does not think the £100,000-a-week England international returning will go down well with fans.

Speaking to GMS, Phillips said: "Ross Barkley is wanted by Lampard, but with the history there with the club, the way Barkley left, I'm not so sure that they would want him back."

Why has Barkley's move from Everton to Chelsea not worked out?

One reason is injuries. Like during his time at Everton, Barkley has not always been able to remain fit while at Chelsea.

He has also had some off-field issues, something Lampard spoke about when he was managing him at Stamford Bridge.

"What he has done is to be naive to be out on that evening in the build up to a Champions League game. He has admitted that," Lampard said (via Daily Mirror) after an incident back in 2019. "I am very aware of that. On a professional level, those are things that shouldn’t happen."

Whatever the reason, Barkley's transfer from Everton to Chelsea has simply not gone to plan and a permanent transfer now looks to be in his best interest. In fact, it is probably a little overdue.

Whether he goes back to Everton remains to be seen, but if he does, he is going to have to win over supporters given the messy divorce between him and the club over four years ago.