Chelsea have had a bid rejected by Everton for Tottenham target Ross Barkley.
Ross Barkley of Everton celebrates scoring his side’s first goal during the Premier League match against Watford.
Everton have rejected a £25m bid from Chelsea for Ross Barkley, reports the BBC, as it looks increasingly likely the midfielder will leave this transfer window.
The offer from the Blues is half of the £50m the Toffees were originally holding out for to allow Barkley to go, but other factors may see them lower their price.
Everton midfielder Ross Barkley (L) vies with West Ham United’s Andre Ayew.
Firstly they risk losing the 23-year-old on a free in less than 12 months time as he has entered the final year of his current contract at Goodison Park and has rejected the offer of a new deal.
Added to that is the fact Barkley is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury that could keep him out of action for three months, making the England international a less attractive prospect to potential buyers.
One of which is Tottenham Hotspur, who are long-term admirers of the midfield ace and have been favourites for his signature throughout the summer; until these latest developments.
Tottenham Hotspur’s head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
Letting the saga drag on until the deadline is believed to be a tactic to drive down Barkley’s valuation and while that seems to have worked, it may serve to help Spurs’ West London rivals rather than themselves.
This would be a blow as although some have questioned how the Englishman would fit into Mauricio Pochettino’s squad, he would certainly add some much needed depth in the middle which currently is not being adequately provided by Moussa Sissoko.
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