Barkley wants a Spurs move


TRANSFER TALK


Tottenham Hotspur have been in communication with Ross Barkley's representatives for weeks now. Mauricio Pochettino wants him at Spurs, Barkley wants to come to Spurs and Everton know they have no choice but to sell him this summer.

Like I wrote in a previous article, Ronal Koeman telling the England international if he doesn't sign a new contract he is in danger of being sold, wasn't the ultimatum it was reported as, it is exactly what he wants, it was a carrot not to sign.

Spurs been in talks with Barkley's agents for a few weeks. Both parties want move - & Everton know they need to sell this summer.

The question will be whether Everton and Tottenham can agree on a fee. Everton will want full market value, but he only has a year left on his contract so can't command full market value. A compromise deal will have to be reached.

Everton seems to be starting their negotiations at £35 million (€41.31m - AUS$57.83m - US$43.85m), that's why you throw a figure into the public domain via a quiet word in a journalist's ear or an off the hand remark at a press conference. There are many ways of getting a figure out there to lay the groundwork before you begin negotiations.

From our point of view, we might want to start with a £15 million (€17.7m - AUS$24.81m - US$18.79m) offer and rise to a maximum of £20 million (€23.60m - AUS$33.06m - US$25.06m). Anything more and you have a word with the player to stay put for another season and agree to sign them on a free in a years time. A club can't force a player to join a side he doesn't want to, although it does occasionally happen.

Barkley is the leading English player for assists (8) and chances created (73). He is said to be on £80,000-a-week at Everton and Ronal Koeman has admitted he has told him he wants UEFA Champions League football. Despite Koeman saying he wants it to, Everton can't provide it and there is no guarantee they can in the future, indeed it is unlikely they will be able to do so. A player can't simply wait around for something that might or might not happen when he can move and get it instantly.

Everton have made progress, but they are in the situation we were in years ago and don't have the financial capacity to keep hold of players who have ambition. It isn't nice for their fans but that is football and you have to accept it.

The Police are quite rightly investigating reporter Kelvin Mackenzie after an article of his appeared in a member of our gutter press, the Sun, comparing Ross Barkley to a gorilla. And people wonder why I complain about our press and the manner in which they sensationalise and distort the truth.

In another incident, Barkley was punched three times in a Liverpool bar on Monday night. It would seem he still has a bit to learn about the game off the field. Mauricio Pochettino will tell him exactly how he expects him to behave if he wants to improve his game and reach his potential.


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