Chelsea have reportedly lodged a late £25 million bid to sign Ross Barkley from Everton before the transfer window closes.
According to a report by The Sun, Chelsea have launched the offensive to land Ross Barkley before the transfer window slams shut. The Premier League champions have put a £25 million bid on the table for the Everton midfielder, who is intent on departing from Goodison Park.
Barkley has been widely regarded as one of the most exciting young prospects in England for several years now, with the player being a regular fixture for both club and country. But while the player is brimming with promise and potential, he has often frustrated with a lack of consistency in his game.
Ronald Koeman pointed out the same on several occasions over the course of the 2016-17 season. In all, Barkley made 39 appearances in all competitions for Everton last season, with a modest return of 6 goals and 9 assists to show for his efforts.
His time at Goodison Park, though, is nigh, with Barkley rejecting a new deal from Everton. Koeman has already made it clear that the Toffees would sell the 23-year-old this summer if he doesn’t pen a new contract with the club. And, with Chelsea and Tottenham interested, a move to London is on the cards.
#Chelsea made a £25 million bid for Ross #Barkley, waiting on Oxlade-Chamberlain & will make further bids on #Drinkwater & #Llorente. #CFC pic.twitter.com/876TzDEwIt
— Chelsea FC Global (@Chelsea_Global) August 29, 2017
Chelsea made a slow start in the transfer market but have since picked up pace, securing deals for their primary targets lately. Antonio Conte has been scrambling to make additions in different positions, with as many as four players likely to be added to the first-team squad.
Attack is a priority for the Chelsea boss, with Eden Hazard, Pedro and Willian the only three recognised options at his disposal, for two positions. Thus, Barkley is a viable target for the Blues, with the versatile Englishman also being an option in midfield.
Tottenham, too, have sprung into action late in the transfer window, having only made their first signing of the summer last week. Like Conte, Mauricio Pochettino too has a very thin squad at his disposal with very few reliable options in attack, in particular.
Son Heung-Min, Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli have been consistent performers for Spurs. But beyond the trio, the inconsistencies of Moussa Sissoko and Erik Lamela leaves the Tottenham boss with slim pickings, which has seen Pochettino target Barkley pretty much throughout the summer.
However, the North London club will have to move quickly to secure a deal for the player, with Chelsea set to launch a £25 million bid for him. The aforementioned figure includes an initial fee of £20 million along with add-ons worth £5 million.
Everton’s valuation of Barkley has dropped significantly from their initial £50 million asking price. But, the Toffees are still holding out for £30 million for the Englishman. It now remains to be seen if Chelsea will be asked to raise their offer, and if Tottenham swoop in with a late bid to triumph in pursuit of Barkley.
