Chelsea have reportedly been making enquiries about Arsenal and Liverpool target Gareth Barry at Aston Villa, with a move to prise the England International away fro Villa Park a possibility.

27-year-old Barry was the subject of a summer-long pursuit by Liverpool, with Reds manager Rafa Benitez desperate to pair the midfielder with Steven Gerrard at Anfield. However, the board at the Merseyside club refused to pay the £18million asking price and Barry remains at the Villans.

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger also made an approach for the Villa captain, but like Benitez was not prepared to pay that much to bring Barry to the Emirates Stadium.

Blues new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has been impressed with Barry’s form in the early games of the Premier League this season. With it understood that the former Brazil and Portugal coach will make a move for the England midfielder in January and offer Villa what they want for Barry after losing Ghana midfielder Michael Essien to long-term injury.

However, Barry has still refused to sign a new deal at with Martin O’Neills side, which means the Midlands side could be forced to sell or watch his value drop. This could tempt both Arsenal and Liverpool to make fresh moves should Barry’s pricetag become more palatable.