Chelsea have expressed an interest in Ashley Barnes
Chelsea have expressed an interest in Burnley's Ashley Barnes as they widen their search for a target man, Sky Sports News understands.
The Blues have made enquiries for a string of big centre-forwards over the past week including Andy Carroll, Fernando Llorente, Peter Crouch and Edin Dzeko.
According to Sky sources, Burnley have not had any contact from Chelsea.
Barnes has scored four goals in 26 appearances for the Clarets this season, although most have come from the bench.
The 28-year-old has made only eight Premier League starts during Burnley's impressive current campaign.
Barnes has scored four goals for the Clarets this season
But he fits the profile of player Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wants to add to his squad and the Italian has found the way blocked for a number of other targets.
First-choice Carroll is out for at least a month with an ankle injury that may require surgery, according to West Ham boss David Moyes.
And according to Guillem Balague, Tottenham rejected a loan approach from Chelsea for Llorente, who was a target for Conte before he signed for Spurs last summer.
Sky in Italy have reported that talks have taken place over a £44m +£8.8m deal for Dzeko and Roma left-back Emerson Palmieri.
BURNLEY striker Ashley Barnes is the latest surprise name to be linked with a move to Chelsea.
Antonio Conte is looking for a new front man this month having eyed up moves for Andy Carroll, Peter Crouch and Islam Slimani.
AFP or licensors Chelsea have been linked with a shock move for Ashley Barnes
With deals for Carroll and Crouch seemingly fallen through, 28-year-old Barnes looks to be next on Chelsea's shortlist.
And with the likes of Manchester United braced to sign Alexis Sanchez and Arsenal close to landing Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Chelsea fans are unsurprisingly underwhelmed.
Supporters took to Twitter to question the latest move with one fan jokingly asking "whether the transfer window can close already?"
Another sarcastically joked: "Ashley Barnes off the bench at Barca away next month? Definitely in the right direction."
HANNAH MCKAY Fans are questioning whether Antonio Conte has lost the plot at Chelsea
We aren't concerned! Not at All! Stay the course! Ashley Barnes off the bench at Barca away next month? Definitely in the right direction. — Sunny (@Takhar77) January 21, 2018
I remember Chelsea having players like Drogba up front .. not Ashley Barnes 😂 Should of kept Costa! — Jordan (@jordancoughlann) January 21, 2018
If we're looking for a 3rd striker because Dzeko's cup tied, I really don't see the point. What's Ashley Barnes going to do at the Camp Nou? — VB (@Bluesesque) January 21, 2018
Antonio Conte has fully lost the plot if he pays money for Barnes, dear me 😂 — Kane Hewson (@kane_hewson) January 21, 2018
One Chelsea fan said: "I remember Chelsea having players like Drogba up front... not Ashley Barnes. Should of kept Costa!"
Another supporter commented: "If we're looking for a 3rd striker because Dzeko's cup tied, I really don't see the point. What's Ashley Barnes doing to do at Camp Nou?"
Barnes, 28, has made just eight Premier League starts under Sean Dyche this season and scored three goals.
No fee has yet been agreed between the two clubs, but SunSport understands work is going on behind the scenes to come up with a reasonable fee for the former Torquay and Brighton man.
Chelsea are one failed bid for Ashley Barnes away from going for Adebayo Akinfenwa. — Dan McLaughlin (@Dan23_92) January 21, 2018
Chelsea interested in Ashley barnes in other news @TranmereRovers are interested in fat Dave from 5 a side — chay short (@ChayChayshort74) January 21, 2018
Is Antonio Conte targeting the likes of #andycarroll, Peter Crouch and Ashley Barnes so he can get sacked and go back to Italy? #ChelseaFC #TransferWindow #CFC — Joseph Cornforth (@JosephCornforth) January 21, 2018
CHELSEA are trying to sign Burnley striker Ashley Barnes in a deal brokered by super-agent Pni Zahavi.
Antonio Conte is desperate for Chelsea club to bring in a bustling striker this month to boost his attacking options at Stamford Bridge.
Reuters Ashley Barnes has emerged as a shock target for Chelsea
EPA Super agent Pini Zahavi is the man who is trying to broker Chelsea's bid to sign Ashley Barnes
And now 28-year-old journeyman striker Barnes looks to be the man in the frame with renowned 74-year-old deal-maker Zahavi the man pulling the strings.
No fee has yet been agreed between the two clubs, but SunSport understands work is going on behind the scenes to come up with a reasonable fee for the former Torquay and Brighton man.
The surprise move comes after the London club failed in a series of attempts to bring in the bustling striker Conte is asking for.
Chelsea enquired about the availability of West Ham striker Andy Carroll before the move fell through when he broke a bone in his foot.
Reuters Ashley Barnes is the surprise name being considered by Chelsea
Brighton 0-4 Chelsea: Eden Hazard and co run riot at the Amex as they send Seagulls closer to the relegation zone
Since then they have asked about Tottenham's Fernando Llorente before switching the attention to a cheeky bid to sign Stoke veteran Peter Crouch.
Barnes has been recommended to Roman Abramovich by Zahavi, and the owner is understood to have given the go ahead to see if a deal can be struck.
Though he has only scored three league goals this season, the striker is said to have caught the eye with his industrious performances up front for Sean Dyche's side.
He is a serious option for Chelsea as they struggle to agree a fee with Roma for former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko.
News that Barnes is being seriously considered will come as a major shock to Chelsea fans, and not only because he is hardly recognised as a top talent.
The striker is also the target for abuse from Blues fans every time he plays against them following a shocking challenge on Nemandja Matic in 2015.
Matic was sent off for reacting furiously to a studs-up tackle which was lucky not to break his leg - though Barnes escaped without punishment.
Burnley, having sold Andre Gray to Watford last summer, will have no intention on letting another one of their attacking players leave.
Having started the season so well and been in the top four last month, the Clarets have suddenly hit a bad patch.
Sean Dyche's side have lost their last three matches and the Burnley boss will want his team to go back to basics with tactics that place great importance on the workrate of Barnes.
Bola.net - Raksasa Premier League, Chelsea dikabarkan tengah membidik striker milik Burnley, Ashley Barnes untuk diboyong ke Stamford Bridge jelang akhir jendela transfer Januari ini. Beberapa hari terakhir Chelsea memang terus dikaitkan dengan nama-nama striker bertubuh jangkung, mulai dari Edin Dzeko, Andy Carrol hingga Peter Crouch. Kini seperi dilansir Sky Sports, The Blues tengah mempertimbangkan nama Barnes dalam daftar targetnya. Meski demikian Burnley diklaim masih belum menerima kontak apapun dari Chelsea. Barnes mencetak empat gol dari 26 laga bersama The Clarets musim ini, meski kebanyakan ia menjadi pemain cadangan. Pemain 28 tahun itu hingga kini tercatat hanya empat kali menjadi starter di skuat Burnley musim ini. Terlepas dari statistik tersebut, nama Barnes diyakini cocok dengan tipe pemain yang diinginkan Antonio Conte yang tengah mencari bomber pelapis Alvaro Morata. (sky/pra)
