Everton manager Sam Allardyce has given an update on the fitness of midfielder Ross Barkley, who is a January transfer target for both Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.
The 24-year-old has been out with a hamstring injury since the summer and is yet to competitively kick a ball this season for the Toffees.
It is reported Barkley was keen on a move to Spurs in order to work under Mauricio Pochettino but the North London outfit and the Toffees could not come to an agreement over the price for the player, who has just six months left on his contract.
On the other hand, Chelsea did manage to agree on a fee for the England international on the final day of the transfer window, only for Barkley to decline the move in the final hours and stay with the Toffees.
However, both the London-based clubs are expected to move for the midfielder once again next month.
Since then, Everton have had a change in manager, with Allardyce taking charge and he said on Friday that Barkley is now almost back for selection and raring to go.
“He is training with us. I think at some stage or another the cautious medical staff will say ‘You can have him Sam’. I’d have liked him two weeks ago, but that’s not been the case,” Allardyce was quoted in a report by football.london.
“He’s training with us on a regular basis and I think he’s very close to being available for selection.”
That could mean Barkley’s first game of the season could be against Spurs at Wembley on January 13 if he is not fully fit to participate in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool on January 5.
With the January transfer window fast looming, both Spurs and Chelsea will be looking forward to bolstering their squads by signing a couple of players.
After a failed move in summer, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte is expected to reignite his interest in Barkley, while the Everton man could be tempted by Pochettino, who continues to nurture his England teammates Harry Kane, Eric Dier, Harry Winks and Dele Alli.
Spurs could move in January to take him for a reduced price, with Pochettino admitting that he is looking at signing English players.
Our gaffer also revealed earlier this month that it might be better to bring players in during January to help them prepare better for next season rather than fight for their signature late in the summer once pre-season is almost done.
https://youtu.be/BWVOM5xIyvc
