Ross Barkley transfer: Italian interest in Mousa Dembele makes Tottenham Hotspur snub even more curious

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Long-term Tottenham Hotspur target Ross Barkley is expected to join Chelsea from Everton in a cut-price deal.

As The London Evening Standard reports, Tottenham Hotspur have dropped out of the race for Ross Barkley with Chelsea set to tie up a £15m deal for the Everton midfielder.

Barkley had been a long-term target of Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino, the Standard understands, and is available at a bargain price this January with his Toffees contract expiring at the end of the season.

Tottenham’s decision not to pursue the 24-year-old is surprising because The Mirror reported in September that he favoured a move to Spurs after turning down Chelsea last summer.

And it is made even more curious by the fact that Tottenham seem to be preparing for life after Mousa Dembele, who is a target for both AC Milan and Inter Milan, according to Sky Sports.

The 30-year-old is entering the last 18 months of his contract and is unlikely to get an extension due to continuous injury problems, so Spurs may take the decision to sell him to Italy at the end of the season.

Dembele’s departure would leave a huge gap in a Tottenham midfield that already needed improvements due to Eric Dier’s regular usage in defence and the clear deficiencies of Moussa Sissoko.

Physical and equally gifted on the ball, as well as a greater creative and goal threat, Barkley appeared to be the perfect long-term replacement for Dembele, as well as competition for Christian Eriksen further up the pitch.

Allowing him to join London rivals Chelsea means that Tottenham may require two new central midfielders in the summer, and they will not find one who represents as good value as Barkley does.