Everton Football Club have officially completed the signing of 24-year old Dutch midfielder Davy Klaassen from Ajax for a reported fee of £23.5m.
Recently Everton manager Ronald Koeman had stated that Ross Barkley would be sold in the summer transfer window if he didn’t sign a new contract this season and now with Klaassen joining the ‘The Toffees’, Barkley’s future at the club hangs in the balance.
The 23-year old who is rated at £50m has made 179 appearances for Everton FC since being promoted to the first team from the youth ranks in July 2011. He has also enjoyed short stints on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United at the Championship.
Former Everton club captain Alan Stubbs and who even served as a coach for the club’s reserve team feels that Barkley’s tenure at Merseyside might come to an end and the midfielder might head to London this summer.
Stubbs spoke to talkSPORT regarding the Englishman’s future and claimed that the young midfielder is keen on leaving the Merseyside club to ply his trade in North London with Arsenal being the preferred destination.
The former Toffees’ captain Stubbs told the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast:
“I think Ronald put his cards on the table with Ross before the end of the season and he gave him an ultimatum,”
“The fact that we are three weeks gone, and Ross hasn’t signed, then I think that’s the biggest indicator that Ross’ future is going to lie elsewhere.
“The one thing that he [Koeman] said towards the end is that he wanted more creativity in the team and I think, with Klaassen, he’s certainly got that – his record is very good and he’s a great age.
“Pickford is probably the most exciting young ‘keeper in Britain at the moment so it’s great times.”
And regarding the clubs whom the midfielder might join, Stubbs said:
“Looking at those teams I think Arsenal are probably a team that he could go to.”
“With Tottenham you have got Dele Alli in a similar position and, looking at Dele, he is ahead of Ross at this moment in time.”
“So it’s looking like he’s going to be heading to London – we just have to wait and find out what club it is.”
With Ozil yet to sign a contract situation, Arsene Wenger may turn to Barkley for a solution. However, Ozil and Barkley are completely different players. The German wizard is known to create chances from almost impossible positions with highly-accurate crosses and through balls, while the England international is known for his pace, dribbling skills and long range shooting ability.
But the one common point among them is their attacking midfielder position. In a worst case scenario, if Ozil refuses a new contract Barkley can be brought in as a cheaper and quality replacement. And moreover, he is a homegrown talent as well which will also interest Wenger.
