OPINION
Ross Barkley will reportedly complete a move to Tottenham in the January transfer window after rejecting a summer move from Everton to Chelsea on deadline day.
The Daily Star claims the 23-year-old attacking midfielder turned down a move to Antonio Conte’s side with just hours remaining in the summer window, after refusing to undergo a medical with the Premier League champions.
The report states that a £35million deal had been agreed with Chelsea but now Spurs will sign Barkley in January by launching a cut-price offer to lure the England international to north London.
Barkley is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and is expected to be out for another 12 weeks after undergoing surgery to correct the problem.
However, it is unlikely that he will feature for the Toffees once again, after falling down the pecking order at Goodison Park following the signings of Wayne Rooney, Davy Klaassen and Gylfi Sigurdsson.
This Is Futbol weighs up whether signing Barkley in January is a good move for Spurs, and if a deal is likely to be reached.
Good move for Tottenham?
With Mauricio Pochettino successfully using a 3-4-2-1 system last season that incorporated two attacking midfielder behind striker Harry Kane, Barkley would fit into the role with aplomb.
The formation requires a player that is a number 10, but is able to offer slight versatility in having an impact out wide and Barkley is that perfect player.
Pochettino is also known to use a 4-2-3-1 formation and Barkley will be more than used to such a style, with Koeman using Barkley on the left and in the middle of the three during the former Southampton manager’s tenure on Merseyside.
A perfect signing for Spurs, if chairman Daniel Levy does indeed decide to sign the Everton ace.
This Is Futbol rating: 9/10.
Likely to happen?
It is difficult to predict Barkley’s next move, with the midfielder seemingly undecided over his future.
But now in the final year of his contract on Merseyside, Barkley will be available for a cut-price deal according to the report as Everton look to avoid losing him on a free.
Chelsea had agreed a £35million offer for Barkley but that price could drop by January, with only six months left on his deal by the time 2018 comes around.
Spurs should complete a move in January for Barkley and if they can secure a transfer for around £25million, then they will be adding the final piece in their jigsaw in the hunt for Premier League glory.
This Is Futbol rating: 7/10.