Joey Barton: Star player refused £35m transfer from Chelsea because boss Conte ‘turned his phone off’ on deadline day

According to Joey Barton, Everton star Ross Barkley pulled out of a transfer to Premier League Champions Chelsea on transfer deadline day because the Chelsea boss Antonio Conte wouldn’t pick up his phone.

The Toffees had already agreed a fee of £35million transfer for the Englishman, with Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri stating the England international had undergone a medical examination at Chelsea.

Although the player himself denied a medical examination took place, the 23-year-old midfielder was determined to force through a transfer after refusing to sign a new contract reportedly worth £100,000 weekly at Goodison Park.

And, as per former Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton, were it not for Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte turning his phone off on transfer deadline day, Ross Barkley could be a Chelsea this season.

Barton told talksport, ‘I (Barton) heard an interesting thing about what transpired with the Barkley transfer.’

‘Conte (Antonio) turned (switched) his phone off, and Barkley’s representatives (agents) were trying to contact (reach) him.

‘He (Barkley) wanted to say (ask): “Look, where (position) am I going to play,” and the Chelsea boss turned his phone off his phone. That is why the Everton star got cold feet (angry) and never signed.

‘He (Barkley) thought: “Well, if the manager (Antonio Conte) isn’t answering (picking up) the phone to me (Barkley) he clearly does not want me (at the club),” and that is why he (Barkley) went back to Everton.’

The midfielder has revealed he will now reconsider his situation later in January, with the Blues and Spurs both still keen to sign the playmaker.

His current deal at Everton will expire next summer, but Barkley is expected to leave after the new year.