OFFICIAL: £200k-a-week star leaves Chelsea by mutual consent

Chelsea have confirmed that Ross Barkley has left Chelsea by mutual consent and will turn into a free agent.

The 28-year-old’s agreement was set to terminate toward the finish of the 2022/23 season.

The midfielder joined Chelsea in January 2018 and showed up for Chelsea across all contests, with his last serious match coming against Watford in the final game of last season.

Barkley attempted to earn a procure opportunity under Thomas Tuchel after not earning a move away from the club last summer.

The ex-Everton ace went on Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the United States but was ultimately not handed a number and was left out of Tuchel’s first team squad.

Barkley has invested energy preparing with the improvement team since the season began.

Barkley’s most successful stint in a Chelsea shirt likely came under Maurizio Sarri as the Blues won the Europa League.

The England international scored a penalty in the shootout win over Eintracht Frankfurt in the tournament’s semi-final and featured in the victory over Arsenal in the final.

Chelsea said in a statement: “We would like to thank Ross for his contribution to Chelsea and wish him well for the rest of his career.”