Steve Bruce Pressed Newcastle to Sign Ross Barkley Before Aston Villa Move
Ross Barkley ended up joining Aston Villa on a season-long loan | James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images
Newcastle head coach Steve Bruce pressed Mike Ashley to facilitate a move to bring Ross Barkley to the club on loan in the summer, only for the owner to say a deal could not be done.
Barkley had been deemed surplus to requirements at parent club Chelsea and was looking for a new club in order to find regular, first-team action; news which caught the attention of a number of Premier League sides.