According to the Sun, Tottenham could be left with their tails between their legs in their pursuit of wantaway Everton star Ross Barkley, with Chelsea now very keen to make a swoop on the 23-year-old.
The Blues have long registered interest in the midfielder, and he would come very handy now as they urgently need to meet up with the compulsory eight “homegrown-player” quota for EPL teams.
Hence, they want Barkley alongside Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for a combined £50million.
Barkley’s Everton career is technically over after boss Ronald Koeman consented to the player’s wish to leave Goodison Park.
As a result, Tottenham were tipped as strong favorites to land the Englishman.
The Merseysiders’ £50million asking price for their youth product, however, is putting them and other clubs off as regards making a bid.
Chelsea’s proposed £50million budget for both Barkley and Chamberlain means the Blues expect Everton to lower their price.
That is inevitable given the club wants Ross off their books, and once a price can be agreed upon, a quick swoop from Chelsea is bound to happen.
As there aren’t recent reports of Tottenham willing to quote a price for the player, Chelsea’s renewed interest in him poses a big threat to Spurs’ ambition of getting him.
