Barkley to Tottenham rumours persist
Speculation that Everton midfielder Ross Barkley is set for a move to Tottenham Hotspur has continued to mount in recent days, with the Lilywhites now being made clear favourites to land the player amongst the bookmakers.
The Everton academy product is seen by bigfreebet.com as almost definitely being on his way out of the club, having failed to agree upon the terms of a new contract despite manager Ronald Koeman stipulating that he would seek the player should a new deal fail to materialise.
Barkley enters the final 12 months of his contract at Goodison Park and Evertonian cult hero Alan Stubbs anticipates that the 23-year-old has played his last game for the club. Speaking to talkSPORT, the former centre-back stated: “I think Ronald put his cards on the table with Ross before the end of the season and he gave him an ultimatum,
“The fact that we are three weeks gone and Ross hasn’t signed, then I think that’s the biggest indicator that Ross’ future is going to lie elsewhere.
The one thing that (Koeman) said towards the end is that he wanted more creativity in the team and I think, with Klaassen, he’s certainly got that – his record is very good and he’s a great age.”
The Toffees secured the services of the 24-year-old Dutch international Davy Klaassen in a deal purported to be in the region of £23.6 million. A midfielder equally adept at playing in the number eight role as he is playing as an attacking midfielder, it would appear that the club have already signed Barkley’s immediate replacement.
Whilst Barkley has won the admiration of the Tottenham Hotspur decision makers, the player is said to have also attracted the interest of the likes of last season’s title winners Chelsea, suggesting the conclusion of any deal could prove difficult for the north Londoners.
Barkley has made 179 appearances for the club in all competitions since his competitive debut in 2011 under the club’s then manager David Moyes, winning the club’s 2014 Young Player of the Year award in 2014.
Despite netting five goals and providing a further eight league assists, the Englishman has flattered to deceive for much of his career, failing to live up to the expectations placed upon him from when he initially burst onto the scenes.
With Pochettino having established fellow youngsters Dele Alli, Harry Kane and Eric Dier in recent seasons, the Argentine could well prove to be the manager that can finally turn the Englishman’s undoubted talent into consistent performances.
