Everton: Ross Barkley needs a reality check
By Paul Taylor
Wantaway Everton midfielder Ross Barkley reportedly wants higher wages than two-time Golden Boot winner Harry Kane, if he joins Tottenham Hotspur.
You could argue Everton are playing a dangerous game with Ross Barkley. While understanding they want to get as much money as possible if he leaves, Tottenham Hotspur are hesitant about paying the £50 million price tag.
As a result, there is a possibility Barkley will still be an Everton player at the end of the current transfer window. With just one year remaining on his contract, this would increase the risk of the Blues losing him for nothing next summer.
Interestingly though, it’s now possible the 23-year old himself, could sabotage the possibility of leaving Merseyside between now and August 31. And it relates to how much money he wants to earn.
As per a report from the Mirror‘s Adrian Kajumba, Barkley apparently wants to become Spurs’ highest paid player. In theory, there’s nothing wrong with having this type of ambition.
More from Prince Rupert's Tower
- Everton 0 Arsenal 1: Blues fall to third home defeat
- Further chaos in Everton takeover as other lenders not keen on 777 Partners
- Everton need repeat of Arsenal win to kick-start their season on Sunday
- More madness at Everton as Moshiri now agrees to sell club to 777 Partners
- Everton takeover talk cools after UK govt doubts and further questions
However, this would then put the England International on more money than Harry Kane, (as well as goalkeeper Hugo Lloris). While no one doubts Barkley’s talent, he still isn’t at the same level as Kane who, among other things, has won two Premier League Golden Boots including last season, when he set a new goals-per-game rate record.
At this stage, we don’t know exactly how much Barkley is asking for, but for context, Kane is on around £120,000 per week. And while that isn’t too high — at least in the fantasy world that is professional football — Spurs are reluctant to pay more to their potential new signing.
It would be somewhat ironic if Everton and Tottenham manage to agree a transfer fee, but the move doesn’t go ahead, because of Barkley himself. In the process, he could compromise his chances of going to the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
Ronald Koeman has vowed to freeze the Liverpool-born player out of the side, after he refused to sign a contract extension. If Koeman sticks to his plan, a lack of first team action could see the youngster left out of England’s squad.
Barkley needs a reality check, but for his sake, he needs to have one on his own terms. If not, he could be in for a long 12 months without regular top-level football.
Next: Everton up the ante for Gylfi Sigurdsson
How have recent events impacted your opinion of Barkley? Would you still like him to stay, or are you now ready to see the back of him? Further, what fee do you think Everton will (and should) eventually accept, assuming the midfielder does actually leave before the August 31 deadline? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.