According to TalkSport, Everton midfielder Ross Barkley would be willing to take a pay-cut to join Tottenham this Summer, despite recent criticisms to the wage structure in place at Spurs.
On Thursday morning, debate broke out over the limiting wage structure in effect at Spurs due to The Sun’s release of a revealing interview with injured Tottenham left-back Danny Rose, who claimed players at Spurs are under-paid.
Those who agree with Rose believe that the restricted wage budget at Tottenham will only prevent the club from attracting world-class talent, and subsequently see Spurs falling behind their financially superior rivals.
In spite of this, TalkSport report that Tottenham transfer target Ross Barkley would be willing to earn less than he would at Everton to join Spurs this Summer.
Earlier in the Summer it was revealed that Barkley had been swayed by international team-mates Harry Kane, Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Danny Rose to join the North-London outfit due their admiration for Argentine manager Mauricio Pochettino.
If the midfielder’s desire to join Spurs is true, then the only thing preventing the move going through is Tottenham’s inability to reach an agreement with Everton over a transfer fee.
The English play-maker has been linked with a move to Spurs all Summer, however negotiations between Everton and Tottenham have so far proved fruitless, with neither side willing to compromise on the figure to be paid for Barkley’s services.
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Everton have placed a £50 million price-tag on the 23 year old, but Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy is reluctant to pay such a hefty figure for a player who’s contract at the club has entered it’s final 12 months.
SkySources are additionally reporting that Tottenham have made a bid of £8 million for Celta Vigo midfielder Pape Cheikh Diop, who has a £30 million release clause in his contract in Spain.
If Spurs and Everton do not reach a deal soon, Tottenham may turn their attention to Diop, whom the club are confident they can snap up for a considerably cheaper price.
It is rumoured that Barkley is hesitant to sign a new contract at Everton amidst interest from Spurs, and Everton, should they price the 23 year old out of the market, run the risk of losing the play-maker on a free transfer next Summer.
Who would you rather sign? Barkley for a hefty price, or Diop on the cheap?
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