Report claims Pochettino has told Tottenham hierarchy to sign Barkley

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with Everton's Ross Barkley in the January transfer window.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has told the club’s hierarchy to try to do a deal for Everton attacking midfielder Ross Barkley in the January transfer window, according to The Gambling Times.

It has been reported that Everton want £20 million to part company with Barkley, whose current contract at the Toffees runs out at the end of the season, but Spurs are not willing to pay that much.

The England international attacking midfielder is on the sidelines at the moment, but Everton manager Sam Allardyce recently told Sky Sports that the 24-year-old will be back in action soon.

It could take a while for Barkley to get back to his best given his long injury lay-off, but there is no doubt that he would be a brilliant signing for any club in the long run.

While one can understand why Tottenham would be reluctant to pay £20m for a midfielder who will become a free agent next summer, if Pochettino wants him, then club chairman Daniel Levy should at least try to negotiate with Everton.