The widespread reports surrounding Ross Barkley on transfer deadline day were certainly odd to the say the least. You just never hear about a player turning down a transfer in the midst of a medical examination for his new team. It just doesn’t happen.
In the case of Barkley, that’s exactly what he’s claiming- it never happened. Here’s what he tweeted on his official verified account:
Contrary to a number of reports in the press, I did not undertake a medical with any club at any point.
— Ross Barkley (@RBarkley8) September 2, 2017
I simply decided that due to my injury, it would be best to make a decision on my future and assess all my options in January when fully fit
— Ross Barkley (@RBarkley8) September 2, 2017
These tweets are completely at odds with what Everton owner Farhad Moshiri said on transfer deadline say.
Moshiri told Sky Sports News:
“The two clubs agreed a deal of £35 million ($45.3 million) and I think personal terms were agreed.”
“After the medical we heard from Paul Martin, Ross Barkley’s agent, that he had changed his mind and wanted to reconsider his position during the January window — that is the latest.”
So someone is telling the truth here, and the other is fake news. Ross Barkley could still move in the January transfer window, but if he doesn’t, Everton will end up getting nothing for him when his contract expires next summer.
His price won’t be very high given that
a.) Toffees boss Ronald Koeman has already said that the defender is not in his plans moving forward, so other teams know that he’s unwanted at Goodison Park
b.) He’ll be available on a free next summer transfer window.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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