Report shares fascinating reason why Pochettino called off Tottenham’s pursuit of Ross Barkley

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Tottenham Hotspur reportedly backed away from pursuing Ross Barkley.

According to the London Evening Standard, Tottenham Hotspur chose not to pursue a deal for Ross Barkley because they feel they can sign a better player in the summer.

Barkley, 24, hit 27 goals in 179 games for Everton after coming up through the ranks at Goodison Park, but endured a difficult final year with the Toffees.

The playmaker was expected to leave Everton over the summer, but a hamstring injury in August not only prevented him from moving on, but has also kept him out for the entire season so far.

With Barkley’s deal expiring at the end of this season, Everton decided to cash in on Friday before losing him for free, as they sold him on to Chelsea for a fee of around £15million (BBC Sport).

Barkley is seen as something of a bargain for Chelsea, and many were surprised that Tottenham Hotspur didn’t submit a bid of their own having been linked with Barkley regularly over the last 18 months.

Now, the London Evening Standard report that Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino puled out of the race over his belief that Spurs can sign a better player in the summer.

That should be fascinating to Spurs fans, and may hint that Tottenham do have some big summer transfer plans after struggling to land ‘top’ players in the last two summer transfer windows.

Spurs may not get a better player than Barkley for £15million, but if Pochettino believes he will have the backing to go and bring in a major difference maker, then waiting until the summer may well be the best move.