Everton: Is Ross Barkely pricing himself out of a move?

More reports have emerged about Ross Barkely’s apparent wage demands, but is it actually Everton and Tottenham who are to blame for holding up the potential move?

A couple of weeks ago a report emerged, claiming Ross Barkley wanted to become Tottenham’s highest paid player, ahead of Harry Kane. At the time we wrote Barkley needed a reality check, or risk sabotaging a move from Everton and costing himself a place in England’s World Cup squad for next year in Russia.

Shortly after, the Echo‘s Phil Kirkbride refuted the report regarding the 23-year-old’s apparent wage demands of £150,000 per week. Kirkbride alluded to sources, which indicated the claims were wide of the mark.

Now, more speculation has emerged, again indicating Barkley is asking for too much to move to North London. And while we know better than to take anything as gospel, this does bring to mind the saying that there is no smoke without fire.

As per a report from talkSPORT, the England international is apparently pricing himself out of a move to Tottenham, as his demands would break their tight wage structure. Don’t mistake this for meaning Spurs don’t want to sign the player, but talkSPORT writes that they must find some common ground on the wages.

At this point, believe it or not, we’re actually going to stick up for Barkley – at least to some degree. All indications are that Spurs’ top wage earners — Kane and captain Hugo Loris — are on around £100,000 per week, which is less than what the Blues offered their wantaway midfielder, as part of a new contract extension.

While football wages are an indication of a world gone mad, £100,000 isn’t actually that much in terms of what Premier League clubs pay. In reality though, there are other factors for Barkely to consider.

As mentioned previously, the Liverpool-born star is at risk of missing out on a trip to Russia next summer. He needs to be playing regular first team football, to improve his chances of being selected for the England squad.

If Barkley stays at Everton, but still refuses to sign a new deal, Ronald Koeman has indicated he will be frozen out. Given that the youngster doesn’t want to stay on Merseyside long-term, it’s imperative he gets his situation resolved before the close of the current transfer window.

Another reason we are — sort of — sticking up for Barkley, is down to an aspect which is out of his control. Everton have reportedly asked for £50 million, which is understandably something Spurs are hesitant to pay, especially for a player with just one year left on his current deal.