ROSS BARKLEY TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: Everton star linked with Chelsea and Spurs
22:35: Everton major shareholder Farhad Moshiri has told Sky Sports that they agreed a £35m deal but Barkley’s agent told them after medical that he had changed his mind and wants to reconsider his position in January.
Moshiri said: “The two clubs agreed a deal of £35m, I think personal terms were agreed and after the medical we heard from Paul Martin, his agent, that he changed his mind. He wants to reconsider his position during the January window.
“He is currently injured so I think technically he will be with us because he is under contract for another year. It is a big surprise but that is football.
“I think it’s been a very busy transfer window, we brought in a lot of new players, especially in the attacking areas. In the No 10 position we have brought in Klaasen, Sigurdsson, Rooney. We brought in Sandro Ramirez and we want to give the team a chance to gel. We have a lot of new players and it takes time for them to gel.
“We reconsidered the position and we will try to strengthen the squad in January.
“We need some time for the nine new players to gel and we have also Bolasie and Coleman to come back in October and December. It will be quite a strong squad. We might need another striker. We brought in a Croatian attacker so that will help the squad. We are quite happy with the business we have done.
“These are all Koeman’s signings so his mark is firmly on the squad now. 80 per cent of the squad are his now.”
22:20: Ross Barkley stunned Chelsea by rejecting a deal after having a medical because he wants to join Tottenham.
Chelsea and Everton had agreed a fee for Barkley and he then underwent a medical.
But Barkley pulled the plug on a deal at the 11th hour and Graeme Bailey claims it’s because he wants to join Tottenham.
“Ross Barkley backs away from Chelsea deal – who got close enough to Everton’s £35m asking price,” he wrote on Twitter.
“He will wait for Tottenham. Amazing Chelsea were willing to pay over £30m for a player that may not play again this year…
“No matter what happens with Barkley now – Everton will be furious – be lucky to get half that amount for him in January.”
Chelsea are however hopeful of signing Danny Drinkwater, who is also undergoing a medical at Cobham.
22:15: Paul Merson admitted he is shocked by the Barkley news.
He told Sky Sports: “I’m lost for words. You’re going to the champions, he’s going to play with Hazard, Willian, and he’s going to play!
“They haven’t got the biggest squad. I’d like to hear the full story, but I’m shocked.”
22:00: Everton midfielder Ross Barkley has rejected a move to Chelsea after a £30m fee has been agreed between the two clubs, according to Sky Sports.
The England midfielder travelled to London and began his medical, but Sky Sports News says he changed his mind and is expected to return to Everton.