Tottenham have been alerted about the availability of Everton midfielder Ross Barkley, who looks set to go to the fringes of the first team at Goodison Park. The club have been extremely active in the summer transfer window and have completed the transfers of Morgan Schneiderlin. Schneiderlin has cost an initial fee of £20 million from Manchester United. The addition of the new midfielder not only provides manager Ronald Koeman with the opportunity to overcome the absence of Yannick Bolasie, but also do away with players like Barkley. Also, BBC has suggested that the Toffees have agreed a £10.4m fee with Standard Liege for their Algeria forward Ishak Belfodil.
Koeman has been increasingly vocal about getting more out of Barkley. He believes that the England international has not fulfilled his talent and that he could offer more for Everton. The 23-year-old has not been amongst the clear first-team regulars at Goodison Park this season. According to the reports from the Mirror, Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has been on red alert regarding the situation of Ross Barkley, and he could make a move for the midfielder this winter or coming summer.
Barkley has featured in 18 league games and has scored three goals. His recent goal against Hull City helped Everton claim the 2-2 draw against the relegation-threatened club. The intense transfer activity, especially in the midfield, is a sign that Koeman is not especially happy with his options in this position. Barkley is a player capable of playing as an attacking midfielder or in the central midfield. He was regarded as the next big thing from the Everton Academy, which has produced several great players in the past. Wayne Rooney is one of the last big names to emerge, while the likes of Jack Rodwell have flattered to deceive.
Barkley looks increasingly heading down the route of the latter, although a move to a club like Spurs may revive his career. Even though there is a lot of competition for places especially in the midfield at White Hart Lane, Barkley has been heavily linked with a move. Now that the replacements for Barkley are close to arriving at Goodison Park, there is a possibility that Spurs may sign the player on a cheap. The midfielder’s contract runs out in the summer of 2018 and this may be the best time for Everton to also sell him. If he gets to the summer with a similar situation, clubs may be looking to sign him for much lower than his valuation of around £20 million.
