Ross Barkley has major question marks hanging over his future at Everton, as Tottenham reportedly prepare to swoop for him in January.
The 23-year-old will see his current contract expire at the end of the season, and there has been no public suggestion from either Everton or the player himself that a renewal is imminent.
In turn, the January transfer window could be the perfect opportunity to land a new challenge, with Everton likely to be keen to receive some sort of fee rather than losing him for nothing in the summer.
According to The Mirror, Tottenham could step up and provide that solution as Mauricio Pochettino is said to need additional quality and depth in his midfield following the injuries sustained by Mousa Dembele and Victor Wanyama.
Given Barkley hasn’t played a single game this season yet due to a hamstring injury, it doesn’t sound like the ideal addition as it’s another injury headache in the short term given he’ll need time to fully recover and get back his full match fitness.
However, that hasn’t stopped the speculation from resurfacing, and it remains to be seen whether or not a reduced fee can be agreed for the England international.
While it makes sense for the most part, it remains to be seen what kind of impact it has on youngster Harry Winks who has made a positive impact over the past season or so whenever he’s been given a chance and recently impressed on his senior England debut to suggest he has a big future ahead of him.
Barkley could push him further down the pecking order if he were to arrive which would be a shame, but the Mirror’s report would suggest that isn’t too much of an issue for Tottenham if they are willing to press ahead with a move.
Given his track record of developing young English talent including the likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli and a whole host of Southampton players, Barkley will surely jump at the chance to work with Pochettino to try and take his game to the next level and be a regular for club and country.