ROSS BARKLEY won't be heading back to Everton this season with the club reluctant to join a transfer chase for the midfielder - as Celtic continue to be linked with a move.

The Chelsea midfielder has been widely tipped to make a move away from Stamford Bridge before the summer transfer window shuts.

And Celtic have been touted as an interested party with Ange Postecoglou admitting the club are "still active" in the market.

Now, journalist and commentator Ben Jacobs has claimed Everton boss Frank Lampard is not currently interested in joining clubs in the race to sign Barkley.

And the CBS Sports journalist added that Celtic are among clubs interested in a potential switch this summer.

Posting on Twitter, Jacobs claimed: "Lampard doesn't currently want to enter the race (along with Celtic) for Ross Barkley despite considering him earlier in the window.

"This has been the case for a number of weeks now, even before Everton brought in other midfielders."

Postecoglou recently confirmed there are "one or two areas" he'd like to bolster his squad with signings - as he admitted he's braced for a hectic couple of weeks.

"In terms of incomings we are still active,” he said.

“There's one or two areas that I would like to bring in but it has to be the right sort of players. We are definitely still active and looking at what options may be available.

"In general, I think this transfer window is going to be pretty hectic in the last couple of weeks.

"I suggest there could be some opportunities there for us and in terms of outgoings there are players who aren't getting a lot of opportunities.