With Manchester City needing to sign more English players to comply with UEFA’s quotas, Ross Barkley has been ear-marked as a long-term replacement for 32-year-old Yaya Toure, however, they face stern competition from title rivals, Chelsea.
Barkley has fast become one of the Premier Leagues brightest talents and Everton have slapped a £50million price tag on his head to reflect the interest being shown in him.
City are already in a battle to hold on to home-grown pair, Joe Hart and James Milner, but are confident the pair will soon sign new, long-term deals, with Milner seeking assurances firstly about how often he will play.
Because of their breach of Financial Fair Play rules, and subsequent UEFA sanctions, City valuated Barkley at £30m and were restricted from offering more during this summers transfer window. However, with sanctions lifted next year, the offer should be much improved and may tempt Everton into selling.
There is also the small matter of a £100,000-a-week pay packet for Barkley to consider. This will significantly help City solve the lack of English talent currently within their ranks.
Everton will not want to sell Barkley. with manager Roberto Martinez attempting to build his team around the talented youngster.
Barkley is a boyhood Evertonian and will have to ask himself the same questions asked of Wayne Rooney a decade ago, when he left his childhood heroes to join Manchester United.
Surely an offer of £50million to the club, and £100,000 a week to the player may be enough to open negotiations.
Written by Michael Horne
Follow me on Twitter for more articles @MichaelHorne777
