Everton need to wake up to reality with Ross Barkley

Everton understandably don’t want midfielder Ross Barkley to leave, but at some point they have to accept the inevitability.

At the weekend, we reported on Chelsea’s plan to make a late bit for Everton midfielder Ross Barkley. With the two sides playing at Stamford Bridge, it offered the perfect opportunity to hold talks.

Well, the Pensioners have now made their offer. However, it is not enough to persuade the Blues to let Barkley leave, at least not yet.

As reported by Phil McNulty of BBC Sport, Chelsea made a bid of £25 million. However, Everton have rejected the offer, which is well below their original valuation of £50 million.

On the one hand, we appreciate the Blues want to make as much money as possible, if they are going to lose the 23-year-old. However, there are a number of reasons why they need to be more realistic about what they will receive for him.

For a start, we know Barkley has pretty much made up his mind about leaving, after rejecting the offer of a new contract. Now, with just one year remaining on his current deal, Everton run the risk of losing him for nothing altogether.

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There is also the issue of the England international’s current hamstring injury, which will have him out of action until around November time. To receive any bid for a player who will not play for at least two months, should be considered a blessing at this stage.

In addition, if the Blues decide to hold onto Barkley until the next transfer window in January, any offers for him are only likely to decrease. Why would any club pay an extortionate amount for someone who will be available for nothing next summer?

With all this in mind, Everton have to be careful about pushing their luck any further. With less than two days now remaining until the current transfer window closes, they need to take what’s on offer, to bring this saga to a conclusion.

Again, we appreciate the Blues want as much money as possible for Barkley. However, if they aren’t careful, they won’t even get £25 million for him.

Next: Signing Jamie Vardy is a pipe dream

Where are you at, with Barkley? Are the Blues right to hold out for more money, or is it time to just accept whatever bid comes in from Chelsea — or whoever — and move on? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.