Ross Barkley has made up his mind to fight for his Chelsea place in a big blow to suitors including Leeds United and Aston Villa, Football Insider understands.
Th England international has been on the radar of a number of top Premier League clubs going into the final week of the window.
A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Barkley has told the Chelsea hierarchy he does not want to leave and will instead try to nail down a regular place in the starting XI.
That is a blow to the likes of Leeds and Villa, who had shortlisted Barkley as a loan target ahead of the 5 October cut-off.
They had been encouraged about his potential availability as Chelsea look to lower their wage bill after an enormous summer recruitment drive.
Frank Lampard spoke in the aftermath of Saturday’s 3-3 draw against West Brom of the need to offload senior players in a squad that has grown too bloated.
