As both Manchester City and Chelsea ponder over making a summer move for Everton’s Ross Barkley the Toffee’s are refusing to budge on their £50 million valuation of the England midfielder.
After lined him up for over 12 months as an essential English signing bosses at the Etihad have been told that they will not get him for £30 million as assumed, but will need to find another 20 million if they are serious about signing the 21-year-old.
Everton’s Spanish manager Roberto Martinez refuses to lower his asking price for the England international midfielder despite desperately needing to spend money next summer as he tries to rebuild the club following a disappointing season.
In theory Martinez would like to hold onto Barkley and build a team around him, but given Everton’s financial situation he might be forced to sell.
Teammate Phil Jagielka has no misconceptions as to Barkley’s value to the club saying: “We love having him around – he is a massive threat.
“It has been difficult for Ross because it’s always hard to play in a team that is not playing well.
“This season will be one that he may not want to write about but it will be one that will make him a better player.”
