According to the Guardian, Premier League champions Chelsea are planning transfer talks with Everton over signing playmaker Ross Barkley. The report suggests that a fee of around £30million is likely to be enough to secure the midfielders signing.
The two clubs meet at Stamford Bridge on Sunday lunchtime in Premier League. The game could give Chelsea the perfect opportunity to conduct negotiations to sign the midfielder.
Out-of-favour at Everton
Everton look set to sell Barkley before the summer transfer window closes. The midfielder has less than a year left on his contract on Merseyside and has rejected the Toffees offers of a new deal.
There is a feeling around the club that Toffees boss Ronald Koeman has always been uncertain about Barkley’s talents. An injury is currently side lining the playmaker, so he is not available to the Dutch boss.
However, even when fit, it is highly unlikely that he would be in Koeman’s starting line-up. Everton have brought in the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Wayne Rooney and Davy Klaassen this summer, who can all play in Barkley’s favoured number ten role.
Koeman had previously stated that if Barkley failed to sign a new contract this summer, then the Toffees would sell the playmaker. With less than a week to go until the transfer window slams shut, it seems Barkley is now closer to the Goodison exit.
Barkley is promising but inconsistent
From the start of his Everton career, Barkley has been highly rated. He is a player with very good technical ability and the potential to become a top player in the future.
The problem for Barkley is that he has not really pushed on in recent seasons. Last season the midfielder scored five goals and produced eight assists. His record was not awful.
However, the fact that Barkley has scored just 21 goals and produced 19 goals in 155 appearances in his Everton career suggests that he has not quite lived-up to his billing as a potential star playmaker of the future.
Barkley no doubt has potential and talent. However, his decision-making is still very poor at times and it does not seem to be improving. Barkley has frustrated everybody at Everton in recent seasons, as his development has stalled on Merseyside.
Maybe the perceived lack of development is one of the reasons for his decision to leave the club this summer. Koeman would not have guaranteed Barkley a regular starting spot in the Toffees first eleven this season, maybe that is another reason for the midfielder’s decision not to sign a new contract at Everton.
Chelsea not favourites to sign Barkley
Chelsea are in fact not favourites to sign Barkley before the transfer window shuts. London rivals Tottenham are favourites to sign Barkley at evens. Spurs have repeatedly been linked with a move for Barkley over the past 12 months or so.
It seems the English champions have competition on their hands to sign the playmaker before Thursday’s deadline. Two teams competing for Barkley’s signature is good news for the player and Everton.
If Everton do not sell Barkley before the transfer window shuts then he will be in limbo at the Merseyside club. Koeman has refused to rule out Barkley featuring in the future if he does not move on.
However, it seems unlikely that Barkley will stay at Everton. The Toffees are no doubt keen to sell the midfielder and recoup some money for a star they could lose for nothing next summer.
A move to Chelsea could be just what Barkley needs to further his development. The midfielder would not be a guaranteed starter at Chelsea, but maybe the change of environment is just what he needs to push on.
For me, the jury is still very much out on Ross Barkley. He could become a top player, but he could also remain at his current level. However, if Chelsea can sign the midfielder for £30million he could turn out a snip in today’s crazy transfer fees.
Barkley’s next move will be the key to whether he can fulfil his potential or not. It will all then be down to Barkley to prove he can be a star.
