BBC pundit: It is quite possible this 23-year-old will join Tottenham this summer
By Matt Farr
BBC pundit Garth Crooks admits it is quite possible that Everton midfielder Ross Barkley could join Tottenham this summer.
The 23-year-old faces an uncertain future at Everton beyond the current season, with just a year left to run on his current contract.
Ronald Koeman is keen for Barkley to put pen-to-paper and agree fresh terms at Goodison Park, but the England international appears reluctant to commit his long-term future.
But the midfielder’s future could be resolved in the coming days, after Koeman issued an ultimatum demanding he sign a new deal this week, or else he will be sold this summer.
The Daily Mail have named Tottenham as favourites to win the race for his signature should he quit Everton at the end of the season, and Crooks reckons a move to their Premier League rivals is ‘quite possible.’
He told BBC Sport: “Whatever the outcome of this contractual situation, it is in Barkley’s best interests not to wait for bad news to spark him into providing his best performances but to start creating the news himself.
“That is what the best players do and if he does go to Spurs, which I think is quite possible, he will be expected to do just that.”
Barkley gave Everton fans a glimpse of what they could be missing next season with an outstanding display in the win over Watford on Friday.
He was at the heart of a hard-earned 1-0 victory over the Hornets, scoring the game’s only goal before being withdrawn to a standing ovation approximately 10 minutes from the full-time whistle.
The Liverpool-born ace has contributed six goals and nine assists from 38 appearances in all competitions this season, but his goal against Watford was only his first in his last 12 matches.
In other Tottenham transfer news, the club have reportedly made contact with their rivals over a potential move for this £30million-rated attacker.
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