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Everton: The plot thickens with Ross Barkley

By Paul Taylor

LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: Ross Barkley of Everton reacts after a missed chance during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at White Hart Lane on March 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MARCH 05: Ross Barkley of Everton reacts after a missed chance during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Everton at White Hart Lane on March 5, 2017 in London, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images) /
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Ross Barkley will miss the start of the new Premier League season — whether it be for Everton or someone else — after undergoing groin surgery.

It turns out that one way or another, Ross Barkley won’t be playing for Everton when the new Premier League campaign kicks off. As reported by BBC Sport, he will likely miss the start of the season, after undergoing successful groin surgery.

As a result, members of the media — including us — who wondered if Barkley was being frozen out by manager Ronald Koeman, now realize this was the wrong assumption to make. Now, questions turn to how long he will be out of action?

According to BBC Sport, the 23-year-old is expected to return in four weeks. For further clarification, we consulted www.webmd.com for their expert opinion:

"Most people who have open hernia repair surgery are able to go home the same day. Recovery time is about 3 weeks.You most likely can return to light activity after 3 weeks. Strenuous exercise should wait until after 6 weeks of recovery."

Even in the worst-case scenario, Barkley returns in six weeks. It will be interesting to see if and how this impacts Tottenham Hotspur’s pursuit of him.

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Spurs are already baulking at paying Everton’s reported demand of £50 million. There was also talk of Barkley wanting to be paid more than Harry Kane if he moves to London, although this claim has since been refuted by the Echo’s Phil Kirkbride.

In truth, the England international’s injury absence shouldn’t dramatically impact Spurs’ interest in him, unlike his £50 million price tag. With only one year remaining on his current contract, you could argue Everton are playing a somewhat dangerous game, which could theoretically see them lose the player for nothing next summer.

It is entirely possible/probable the Blues are just testing exactly how interested Tottenham — and any other teams — are in Barkley. In fact, unofficially at least, Everton will apparently go down to £30 million, if push comes to shove.

Next: 3 takeaways from Everton's 3-0 win versus FC Twente

So, where do we go from here with Barkley? Every day seems to bring a new plot twist with the wantaway midfielder. Even though it’s not a long-term absence, do you see his groin surgery compromising the possibility of Spurs — or whoever — signing him, or will this actually increase the chances of the transfer take place? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.