Neither Spurs nor Chelsea are desperate enough to pay £50m for Ross Barkley

There are plenty of concerns growing at both Chelsea and Tottenham regarding the clubs’ transfer activities (or lack thereof) this summer, and yet neither of last year’s top two teams are silly and desperate enough to meet Everton’s £50m asking price for Ross Barkley.

The 23-year-old attacking midfielder has been agitating for a move all summer, but in classic Everton style, they have not made it easy for him to actually do so, despite manager Ronald Koeman stating last month that he “100 per cent” expected the local kid to leave and presumably try to make it in the big scary top six world.

“If there's no interest he will be part of the team. He is training with Everton, he is part of the team and training in a good way."

-Ronald Koeman; source: BBC

Even though the transfer market has gone slightly haywire this season with outrageous fees getting thrown around left and right, Barkley’s star has waned enough in recent years to make the £50m asking price beyond unreasonable. That’s unfortunate for Barkley, but it would seem that unless he starts truly pushing for an exit, he’s not going anywhere this summer.

So what would be a more reasonable price for him? The Telegraph reckon around £25m, and I’d be inclined to agree.