Barkley transfer hopes hamstrung by injury

It was looking like Ross Barkley was making his way back to first team football. After overcoming a hernia operation on a minor groin strain, the forward had his head down and was training hard at Finch Farm with the rest of the team. There was nary a peep from the player or his agent regarding his refusal to sign a new deal at Everton or some ridiculous wage demands as reported by the media.

There was a small chance something might be worked out by both sides and a bridge deal signed, or more likely an amicable parting of ways would happen for the former fan-favourite to ply his trade elsewhere.

Then disaster struck for the player as he pulled up lame at training yesterday. Per the Mail who reported the injury -

Teammates saw him go down in pain clutching his leg during the session at Finch Farm and the England international had to be helped from the field.

He is due to undergo a scan to determine the full extent of his injury.

In a new report today, the Mail are now saying that the injury is likely to keep him out for at least six weeks, which could mean that Barkley will not be back on the pitch until possibly October.

Which could also mean that player’s attempts to leave the club during the summer transfer window will have been dealt a deathblow.

Scans carried out confirmed that the injury was a Grade Three tear to his hamstring. While we’re not physios, a quick search on Google tells us this about that level of injury -

A grade 3 hamstring strain is a severe injury involving a tear to half or all of the hamstring muscle. You may need crutches to walk and will feel severe pain and weakness in the muscle. Swelling will be noticeable immediately and bruising will usually appear within 24 hours.

Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images

Tottenham Hotspur have long been linked with the player, while fellow London clubs Arsenal and Chelsea have also been linked. There has been some injury-related posturing seen from clubs regarding injuries in this period just before the transfer deadline day. Most recently Ronald Koeman held out Gareth Barry with a ‘twisted ankle’ this weekend ahead of a transfer today to West Bromwich Albion.

However, Barkley’s injury appears to be much more serious than that and could mean Everton having to keep the player until the January transfer window, when his value would be even further diminished from the £50m valuation they had for him.