Chelsea attempted to place Ross Barkley at Championship outfit West Brom last month.

The Telegraph says Chelsea tried to sell Barkley to the Baggies - with the England international clearly not in Thomas Tuchel's plans - but the deal quickly fell apart when the Championship baulked at his £110,000-a-week wages.

The 27-year-old had already spent a year on loan with Aston Villa last season - but he didn't set the world alight at Villa Park - not making a big enough impression to earn himself a starting spot back at Chelsea this season.

He played 24 times for Dean Smith's men, scoring three and assisting one.