Premier League top sides Chelsea and Manchester United have reportedly joined the race to land Everton star Ross Barkley this summer.
Tottenham Hotspur were the preferred side to land the top rated local talent but the big boys wants to muscle out the north London club.
There are reports that the defending league champs are monitoring the situation in case the purported move fails. Spurs have been trying to get the Toffees to lower their £50 million valuation but the Ronaldo Koeman led side is not having it.
If the Blues enter the fray or United submit a bid, it could tilt the situation significantly as Everton would strengthen the resolve on their valuation. Well, Everton allowed the deal enter its final year when they could have sorted it earlier.
Barkley and his reps have a decent case now as they can decide to allow the contract run down next year and leave as a free agent. They have the edge in the negotiations. Ahead of the player’s move to Spurs, there were reports that the player wanted £150,000 weekly. That salary band would make him the highest earner at the club, above Harry Kane and Hugo Lloris. The player and his reps refused to comment on those rumours, so the silence sent a message.
Everton have offered the player a new deal. Koeman has reportedly asked that Barkley gives the club a response on the offer soonest so they can prepare for the next move. At Tottenham, there is no guarantee that Barkley would be a regular as the youthful team is packed with top talents. Everton are a decent side with ambitions and recent strides as proof. It seems Barkley is just keen on moving away from his boyhood club. Koeman’s issue with him might have played a part though as Barkley was placed on a higher scale by Roberto Martinez.
With Paul Martin allegedly the player’s agent, it seems a big money move from Goodison Park is almost certain. Martin of Wasserman Media Group handled the move of John Stones, JoleonLescott and others. Well, he also managed Tim Cahill and Landon Donovan as well. Happenings all point to a move to Spurs this summer.
