The Everton midfielder is out of contract in 12 months, as is the Burnley man tipped to arrive at Goodison Park this summer.
According to a report from the Lancashire Telegraph, Everton are close to finalising a £25million move for Burnley defender Michael Keane, with an official announcement potentially coming by this weekend.
When you consider the Toffees are seemingly willing to pay £25million for a 24-year-old in the final year of his contract, it seems about right that they are asking for the same amount for a player of their own in the form of Ross Barkley.
Earlier this summer the Telegraph claimed Everton wanted twice that amount for the midfielder. However a recent report from the Mirror suggests Ronald Koeman is now willing to accept a more reasonable fee for a player whose future looks like being away from Goodison Park.
The two footballers have a lot in common, with Keane reportedly rejecting a new four-year contract from Burnley just as Barkley has opted not to put pen to paper on a fresh deal on Merseyside.
With their contract situations identical, just a year separating them in age and both tipped to be a future stars for club and country, Everton appear to have finally settled on a realistic price.
If they are forking out £25million for Keane, they will not want any less for Barkley, even if there appear to be no takers at this time.
If they are patient enough, and do not accept any low-ball offers that arrive over the next few weeks, Everton are well withing their rights to expect the same amount for Barkley as they are paying for a new centre-back.
Only time will tell if that is how it plays out, but in this inflated market, £25million for a talented young Englishman with a year left on his contract appears to be the going rate.
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