Luton ace Ross Barkley flaunts shredded abs on sunny Barbados beach with girlfriend Katherine Pilkington

LUTON ace Ross Barkley flaunted his shredded abs as he took to the beach in sunny Barbados with girlfriend Katherine Pilkington.

The Premier League star, 30, played the doting boyfriend – carefully applying sun cream on the stunning blonde’s back as she soaked up the rays in a tiny monochrome bikini.

BackGridFootballer Ross Barkley flaunted his shredded abs as he took to the beach in sunny Barbados[/caption]

BackGridRoss was snapped carefully applying sun cream on girlfriend Katherine Pilkington[/caption]

Ross stopped to adjust his blue swim shorts – showing off his rugged physique in the process – as the loved-up couple took a stroll along the golden sands.

Accounts executive Katherine, who counts Love Island’s Ellie Brown as one of her best friends, looked smitten during the romantic trip to the Caribbean island.

The well-earned break comes as Aston Villa are reportedly in advanced talks to make Ross their first summer signing.

Earlier this month, The Sun revealed the club has a ‘strong interest’ in signing the midfielder, who has also interested Manchester United, for a nominal fee of around £2 million

Unai Emery has been impressed by the 33-times-capped England international’s outstanding form this season on his return to the Premier League.

SunSport understands Villa’s President of Football Operations Monchi has a ‘strong interest,’ in signing Barkley, who has also interested Manchester United, for a nominal fee of around £2million.

Although Barkley could not prevent the Hatters from dropping back into the Championship, he has excelled since joining them on a free from Ligue 1 side Nice last summer. 

The former Everton and Chelsea star scored five goals and assisted with four more in 32 appearances for Rob Edwards‘ side.

Villa need to trade wisely this summer as they struggle to comply with tough Profit and Sustainability Rules.

And the addition of Barkley would be one of the shrewdest bargain-priced moves they could pull-off as they look to strengthen the depth of their squad for next season’s Champions’ League campaign.

Emery admitted the club will need to “be intelligent,” in their transfer dealings this summer, after they ran up a loss of £119million in their last accounts – a Uefa record for the season.

And with further losses forecast for last season the need to balance the books has never been more important.

Landing Barkley would be seen as a coup for Emery who was impressed by the midfielder’s stunning form last term.

BackGridStunner Katherine looked smitten during the romantic trip to the Caribbean island[/caption]

GettyBarkley impressed last season at Luton Town and is linked to Aston Villa[/caption]