Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly the favourites to sign Everton playmaker Ross Barkley, but perhaps a move for one of the Toffees’ targets makes more sense.
Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino
A report from the Daily Mail suggested that Tottenham were the favourites to sign Everton midfielder Ross Barkley this summer, while the Toffees are keen to sign Ajax talisman Davy Klaassen, according to the Daily Mirror, perhaps as a replacement if Barkley departs Goodison Park.
But perhaps Spurs should forget chasing Barkley, and instead join Ronald Koeman in the pursuit of the 24-year-old.
Though succeeding in the Eredivisie does not guarantee success in the Premier League – Christian Eriksen and Vincent Janssen have endured contrasting times since arriving from the Dutch top flight – Klaassen has undoubtedly been a key man for an Ajax side that is not only competing for their league title, but looks set to reach the Europa League final.
His statistics are significantly more impressive than Barkley’s, with Klaassen scoring 13 league goals and contributing nine assists while Barkley has scored four and added eight assists in the Premier League this term.
Ajax’s Bertrand Traore celebrates scoring their first goal with Davy Klaassen
And with the two reports hinting that the pair may have considerably different asking prices – the Mirror reports that Everton are planning a £20 million bid for Klaassen, while the Mail suggests that the Toffees will want £35 million for Barkley despite his contract having little over a year left to run – Tottenham considering turning their attention towards Klaassen may actually be a smart idea.
Klaassen has arguably been more consistent than Barkley has over the last couple of years, and if he could replicate the form he has shown for Ajax for Mauricio Pochettino’s men, then he would surely be a tremendous acquisition to the squad as they continue building a team capable of competing on multiple fronts.
Ross Barkley
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