According to reports, Tottenham Hotspur are currently the favourites to win the race for Everton’s want away attacking midfielder Ross Barkley. The 23-year-old Englishman has been quite impressive this season scoring four and assisting seven times so far. But, the fan favourite has currently stalled his contract talks with his boyhood club as numerous sides have shown interest in him.
He is back with the England national squad this week as the Three Lions get ready to face World Champions Germany followed by a match against Lithuania. Boss Gareth Southgate will be impatient to explore his attacking skills alongside the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Danny Welbeck, Raheem Sterling and others, who makes the core of England’s future football.
Everton fans were panicking at Romelu Lukaku’s blatant rejection to sign a contract extension when manager Ronald Koeman revealed Barkley’s contract situation. The Dutchman also suggested last week that if the midfielder didn’t want to extend his contract, the club would have no choice but to sell him at the end of the season. He said, “He needs to sign a new contract or you sell the player.”
Barkley broke into the first team in full throttle back in the 2013-14 season. But, it was only since last season that he has become a main player for the club. He had netted eight goals and assisted the same number of times last season in 38 appearances. This season he has already scored four times and registered seven assists.
Getting your direct rival’s best player will obviously cost Spurs a lot, but Tottenham’s huge interest in him stems from Barkley’s adaptability to play anywhere across the attacking third. Barkley has been involved in four goals from the attacking midfield, six goals from the central midfield and right wing.
Despite Barkley’s willingness to stay with his boyhood club, he has expressed his desire recently to take part in the Champions League and win trophies, which has cast a doubt over his future at Everton. Spurs have been an admirer of the player since he first broke into Everton’s first team, but his maturity with the ball at his feet was always a doubt.
However, his recent displays have cemented his place as one of the best-attacking midfielders in England. His ability to lose his marker and find clever passes in the box has caught the eyes of many. And Tottenham’s further doubts over their summer recruit Moussa Sissoko owing to underperformance is also a major factor in it. Barkley playing alongside Eriksen and Alli would be a dream come true.
