Ross Barkley: Everton midfielder rejects Chelsea move

Ross Barkley’s supposed and surprising last-minute rejection of Chelsea was the story of the final day of the summer transfer window.

Sources close to the proposed deal believe Barkley felt he was being stampeded into joining champions Chelsea, when his heart was set on signing for Spurs. Pochettino thought of the England global as a successor of Mousa Dembele.

Barkley was expected to be on the move before the summer deadline passed after taking the decision not to discuss an extended stay at Everton.

The England worldwide is now nursing a hamstring injury he sustained when returning to first-team training last month following a groin operation.

“He’s a good player, he’s a world class player but he needs to play”.

Barcelona will reportedly make a move for Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil today after being snubbed in their attempts to land Philippe Coutinho. But there were complications with that deal too.

Moshiri said Barkley changed his mind after travelling to London, but these claims have now been rebuffed by the man in question.

Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud, 30, did not complete a move to Everton because his wife rejected it. Three weeks later, they dropped the price to £30 million having identified a replacement in Swansea City attacking midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson, who would end up costing them £45 million (!) before long. Chelsea looked the likely move for the England global given their lack of home-grown talent.

Despite being injured and out until November, Chelsea were desperate to bring one of English football’s highest-rated players to Stamford Bridge. The midfielder has thus far refused to sign a new contract with the Toffees.

Where would Barkley be after January?

Ross Barkley pictured on the final day of last season.

And as the Starsport reported last week, that was never going to happen in this transfer window.

“The two clubs agreed a deal of £35million”, Moshiri said.