Transfer insider: Celtic target's agent is hard at work behind the scenes trying to get him out

Transfer insider Dean Jones has claimed that wages are proving to be the ‘sticking point’ for Celtic as the agent of Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley seeks a new home for the midfielder. 

The Hoops have been extensively linked with a move for Barkley in recent weeks and a report from Football Insider claimed that the Scottish champions have ‘submitted an offer’ to make a loan deal happen.

However, as things stand the 28-year-old England international remains on the periphery of matters at Chelsea as West Ham consider a move and Everton also eye up their former academy graduate.

Now, one well-informed onlooker has shed some light on the current situation surrounding Barkley and a possible move to Parkhead…

Speaking to Give Me Sport, Jones – a journalist for Eurosport – claims that the Bhoys are struggling to land the 33-cap star due to the wages involved, though his agent is hard at work behind the scenes.

He said: “I think this is a move that suits all parties, but the big sticking point is whether Celtic can find a way to pay his wages.

“I think if it can get done, it will, because his agent has been working to find him a new club because they know he’s got no future at Chelsea.”

Currently earning a reported £96,000 per week at Chelsea, it’s perhaps no surprise that the Celtic Park hierarchy are reluctant to go near that sum for the Liverpool-born ace given their own top earner, Callum McGregor, earns £30,000 a week at present (Salary Sport).

That said, out of favour in London, Barkley could be willing to drastically reduce his demands in order to play regular football once again, particularly with former England teammate Joe Hart already in situ and with UEFA Champions League football on offer in Glasgow.

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