Tottenham Hotspur are considering their options of signing Ross Barkley this summer. The Everton playmaker has been linked with the North London club for quite a while now and has turned down a new contract with his current club. Everton slapped a price of £50m on him and the England international might leave the Goodison Park before the start of the next season. Ronald Koeman already made it clear to the youngster that he has to decide his future quickly.
This season was probably Barkley’s best season in an Everton shirt. The 23-year-old has found the net on six occasions and has also racked up nine assists. The Everton midfielder has been demanding wages in the tune of £100,000 a week but the club hierarchy is not ready to splash that amount.
The Everton academy graduate has been with the club since childhood and is one of the hottest prospects in England currently. His availability also boosts the home grown contingent of the club which is quite a popular thing nowadays.
In the last few years, the Toffees have been able to pull the plug as they have been very consistent in terms of their performance. Farhad Moshiri’s investment and ambition to make Everton into one of the European powerhouses seem to be working as the Merseyside club has been hovering in the top half of the table for the last couple of seasons. This season also, they have done very well and have earned themselves a license to play in the Europa League.
Ronald Koeman was appointed the manager of Toffees and in his first stint with the club, the Dutch manager has shown promises that Everton can build on, in the upcoming season. Koeman has built a very youthful side with the likes of Tom Davies taking a major role in the squad. Barkley was given more freedom in a more advanced role and the player has thrived in his new position.
The Spurs are edging towards a move for the talented player but Koeman must not lose his focus and he should carry on with his long-term vision for the club. Barkley has been a part of Koeman’s project and the club should avoid selling him.
His salary demand is absurd but a few negotiations could sort out a way for both the parties. A few more sensible signings and Koeman will be challenging for the Premier League title next season. He cannot afford to lose Barkley in this crucial juncture and has to ensure that he stays at the club for at least another season.
