Wycombe Wanderers ‘target’ Ross Barkley has joined French side Nice following his departure from Chelsea.

The 28-year-old had his contract terminated by mutual consent with the West London side on August 29, after playing 100 times for the club in four-and-a-half seasons.

Soon after becoming a free agent, rumours started to circulate that the former Everton youngster and Aston Villa loanee could potentially move to Adams Park, in what would have been one of the biggest transfer shocks in recent years.

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The speculation began after former Premier League players in David Stockdale, Sam Vokes, and Garath McCleary all joined Wanderers in previous seasons.

However, Wanderers boss Gareth Ainsworth was quick to confirm that Barkley, who has played 33 times for England, would not be joining the Chairboys.

He has instead opted to sign for the five-time Ligue 1 champions, where he has become the seventh former Premier League to join the club.

Other former top-flight players once of the PL that are in Nice’s team include Kasper Schmeichel, Morgan Schneiderlin, Aaron Ramsey, Joe Bryan, Nicolas Pepe and Mario Lemina.