Everton manager Sam Allardyce has claimed that he is resigned to losing Ross Barkley, and one of the “big boys” may come calling this month, reports the Liverpool Echo.
What’s the word?
The midfielder was expected to move on to pastures new last summer after opting against signing a new contract at Goodison Park.
The 24-year-old will become a free agent at the end of the season if he runs down his deal, meaning that Everton will not receive a fee.
In the summer, Barkley came close to joining Chelsea, but the deal never came to fruition, while Tottenham Hotspur have been widely linked with the England international for some time.
While speaking to the media ahead of Everton’s FA Cup clash against Liverpool, manager Sam Allardyce discussed the midfielder’s situation.
According to the Liverpool Echo, the experienced coach said:
“I think that we are resigned and the club was resigned before I got here that we’re going to lose Ross and I can’t see that changing. I expect there would be some interest some time in this window if there’s going to be any interest from one of the big boys.”
Is there pressure on Barkley?
The homegrown Everton star has not played a single minute of competitive action this season due to a hamstring injury.
If he does end up securing a switch to Chelsea or Tottenham, the lack of regular football could be a problem.
It would be difficult for Barkley to hit the ground running, but there will be some leeway given his injury woes.
Playing for Chelsea or Tottenham, though, presents a step up for the midfielder, who has so far struggled for consistency in his career and is yet to meet high expectation.
Even though Barkley has plenty of years left in the game being 24, now is the time that he really needs to show what he is capable of.
Chelsea or Tottenham could be the ideal platforms to do that, but whether the Liverpudlian succeeds remains to be seen.
