United States
United Kingdom
Everton boss Sam Allardyce has revealed that he would like England midfielder Ross Barkley to sign a new deal with the club.
However, the veteran boss also suggested that the playmaker might have already decided on his next move.
Talking about Barkley after Everton’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday his first game incharge, Allardyce told Sky Sports: “I’d like to think we can keep Barkley unless somebody’s already done a deal for him.
“I am not daft enough to know in this game that those words and phone calls might not have already gone on.
“If we could get Ross Barkley to stay then nobody would be more delighted than me. Whether that is a possibility I do not know.
“For me, it’s about getting him back in the squad first and seeing where we are from there.”
The Everton boss also talked about looking at his squad options before making plans for the January transfer window.
Everton future in doubt
The highly rated Barkley is out of contract on Merseyside in the summer, so could leave as a free agent. The 23-year-old has turned down a new deal at Everton and also turned down a £35million move to Chelsea on transfer deadline day.
Barkley is currently sidelined due to a hamstring injury, which means he may not play for Everton again, as Tottenham are reportedly set to make a move for the playmaker in the January transfer window. Speculation also suggests that Chelsea could renew their interest in the Toffees academy product.
Media speculation in the summer claimed that Barkley wants to play Champions League football in the near future. Both Chelsea and Tottenham are in contention for those top-four places this season, although Spurs are currently four points behind fourth-place Liverpool.
Everton win back-to-back games
Everton had struggled for results in Barkley’s absence this season. However, the 2-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday was their second consecutive league victory and clean sheet.
The victory over the Yorkshire side was not quite as impressive as the midweek mauling of West Ham. However, it was a crucial win nevertheless. The first half was a slight none event, as both teams looked impotent in attack.
However, Everton did not take long to take the lead in the second period, taking the lead on 48 minutes. A brilliant flicked pass from young striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin put Gylfi Sigurdsson through on goal and the Icelandic playmaker fired low past Jonas Lossl.
The Toffees sealed victory on 73 minutes. Wayne Rooney found Calvert-Lewin with a low pass and the striker fired pass Lossl with the aid of a big deflection off Huddersfield defender Mathias Jorgensen.
Incredibly, the win was enough to move the Toffees into the top-half of the table. The Toffees are now closer to the top-six positions (seven points) than the relegation zone (eight points).
The mood has lifted at the Merseyside club in the past week. The big test of the Toffees recent revival will come at Anfield next week when Allardyce’s side face neighbours Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.
Will Ross Barkley leave Everton in the January transfer window?
