Everton midfielder Ross Barkley has grabbed the headlines in recent weeks as his future at the club grows increasingly uncertain.
The 23-yeard-old is out of contract at the end of the season, but little progress has been made between the two parties over a fresh agreement.
Everton boss Ronald Koeman has aired his intention to get Barkley to commit his long-term future to the club, but the England international has so far proven reluctant to fulfil his end of the bargain.
Amid the growing frustrations, Koeman issued Barkley with an ultimatum, demanding he sign a new deal before the end of the season, or else he be sold.
That time has come, and no agreement has yet been reached, meaning it looks almost inevitable that the relationship between Barkley and Everton will reach its’ end this summer.
The Mirror, meanwhile, have reported that Everton have set a £50million asking price for the midfielder this summer, thus inviting their interested rivals to make an approach.
However, it will prove difficult for the Toffees to shift Barkley at that valuation, because he simply isn’t worth it.
Even despite Koeman’s repetition that the player will be sold if he doesn’t sign a new deal, the sky-high valuation suggests that Everton are still very much sitting on the fence regarding Barkley’s future.
It is understandable as to why Everton are demanding so much for the player, because commitment aside, he is still one of the best players in the Goodison Park camp.
At 23-years-old, Barkley also has a lot still to learn, and a lot still to prove, so for Everton to let him go at this stage could be a big loss for the future.
But it is difficult to see the likes of Chelsea or Tottenham splash out £50million to bring Barkley to their respective clubs, when he is not likely to walk straight into their starting eleven.
Such a fee comes as little surprise given the current market, but they can’t possibly expect someone to come in and meet their valuation for Barkley.
The Toffees seem happy to let him leave, but they are going to have to reduce their valuation if they realistically expect to entertain offers for his services. As it stands, he could well remain an Everton player next season.
Barkley, meanwhile, hasn’t handed in a transfer request either. His reluctance to sign a new deal hints at his desire to move on to bigger and better things, but he is still very much under contract at the club.
That too, suggests that even Barkley is still unsure.
A resolution has appeared close in recent weeks, but the saga could well continue over the coming months.