Tottenham are prepared to launch a bid to sign Ross Barkley but will not pay Everton’s £50million valuation, according to the Sun.
The newspaper claim that Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino regards Barkley as an ideal fit for his youthful and vibrant team even though he is happy with the squad at his disposal.
The Sun report that Tottenham are ready to make a move for the Goodison Park academy product, who has snubbed his club’s offer of a £100,000-a-week new contract.
Pochettino is yet to buy any new players in the summer transfer window after his team secured their best-ever Premier League finish of second last season.
It has been reported that Tottenham will have to ship out some of the dead wood, including one 24-year-old, before landing the men the manager believes can improve his squad.
Barkley has been targeted after being issued with an ultimatum by Everton boss Ronald Koeman that he will only be part of his plans for next season if he signs fresh terms.
The England international had a mixed 2016-17 campaign, interspersing outstanding displays with poor ones that incurred Koeman’s wrath, and Everton have subsequently spent £24million on a new playmaker in Davy Klaassen.
It leaves Barkley at a crossroads in his career, especially if Everton refuse to budge on their asking price, which is a steep figure for a player with just 12 months remaining on his contract.