Chelsea and Tottenham target who has split the opinion of Toffees supporters?
For all the excitement around seven new signings – and the promise of three more to come – one name has dominated Everton discussion this week. Ross Barkley is the centre of attention.
He will not kick another ball in a Royal Blue shirt, with Ronald Koeman having made it clear in his press conference ahead of the Europa League tie with FC Ruzomberok that it was 100 per cent he would be sold in this window.
Some Evertonians are shedding no tears and are fully behind their managers hard stance. Others feel deeply disappointed that an Academy graduate, for whom there was tremendous hope, will take the next steps in his career away from his boyhood club.
But how did it get to this point where a relationship became fractured beyond repair? Sportsmail looks at how the story unfolded and what the future holds for one of the most talked about young players in the Premier League.
How did it come to this?.
If Barkleys time as an Everton player under Roberto Martinez was filled with unrelenting praise and positivity – and some remarkable comparisons – early notice was served under Koeman that any platitudes would have to be earned.
Before the start of last season, Koeman left no ambiguity in terms of what he expected.
Asked whether the chastening experience he suffered at Euro 2016 had left a mark – Barkley was isolated by Roy Hodgson and never got on the pitch – the Dutchman was blunt.
Ive spoken to everyone, about football, about their position in the team and how we train, Koeman said on August 13. I have contact with everyone. But, okay, I have spoken with him. He is a very good player.
But Ive told him how I see Ross Barkley and where he needs to improve..
The early signs were good. Barkley got Evertons goal in the opening day draw against Tottenham, the third time in four years he had scored in the first game but, slowly, the mood began to change.
He was dragged off at half-time against Sunderland, dropped for a game at Manchester City.
Everton had planned to give Barkley a new deal after the transfer window closed but the situation dragged and by Christmas, when Koeman publicly questioned whether the 23-year-old would ever realise his potential, discussions were placed on hold.
Koeman made a vow after that not to talk about Barkley in public and the temperature thawed; he rejigged the team and played Barkley in a more advanced position and his best form came in the early New Year but the mood wasnt sustained.
When it became apparent that Barkley would not sign a new contract and had rejected the offer he had been made, Koeman decided enough was enough. He would take Everton in one direction and Barkley could pursue another challenge.
The first thing to say is this is a sad situation.
The hope for Barkley, who used to run six miles from his home in Wavertree to Evertons Finch Farm training base during his time at The Academy, was that he would develop from a local hero into a true club legend.
Barkley is big and strong; when he plays on instinct and his confidence is soaring, he is a joy to behold and capable of providing moments that, in his words, gets fans out of their seats.
He can shoot with both feet and glide past challenges. For that reason, Everton valued him at £50million. When the figure became public on May 16, as Sportsmail reported, eyebrows were raised.
His form hadnt been good enough and critics pointed out that only three of his 21 career Premier League goals had come against top six sides.
Everton, though, have never sold cheaply and regardless of how long Barkley had on his contract, they would not give him away.
Yet whether they can command a fee in that region is doubtful, given how final and blunt Koeman was on Wednesday.
There will be no swift conclusion to this narrative but a number of chairman and negotiators will be watching events and preparing to come with an offer; Barkley might split opinion but he is an appealing prospect to several clubs.
Where does he go? . Eyes will have rolled when the names of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United were added to that of Tottenham in the light of Koemans revelation.
The argument being put forward is that he wouldnt get into any of those starting XIs. Some will wonder about why Tottenham want him, too, when they already have Dele Alli.
On the form he showed at the end of last season, he wouldnt get into any of those teams and not even his biggest fan could argue otherwise.
But here is the thing: he ticks a lot of boxes in terms of being attractive to potential buyers.
He is at the right age, he is home-grown and has many of the attributes required to excel in the Premier League; a number of managers will relish the challenge of lighting the spark with in him.
Pochettino, for one, can see potential. Antonio Conte is an admirer – as he is of his team-mate Tom Davies. Jose Mourinho considered bringing him to Chelsea during the summer of 2014 when Manchester City were quoted a £50million transfer fee.
The eventual cost of him leaving Goodison Park will not be that high but the next move has to be right.
He will be 24 in December and the days of him being viewed as a player of potential will be gone. Wherever he goes next, this has to be the season when Barkley delivers. .
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