Everton want £10m more from Chelsea, Spurs for Ross Barkley — reports

Everton have been resigned to losing Ross Barkley for some time, but are still trying to spark a bidding war between Spurs and Chelsea. The two London rivals have become embroiled in several transfer battles over the past couple days, having both been linked with not only Barkley, but Fernando Llorente and Riyad Mahrez as well.

Chelsea made a concrete move on the Barkley front yesterday, but Everton rejected our £25m offer. Given Barkley’s current injury (set to keep him out until December), contract status (in the final year), and failure to live up to expectations over the past few seasons, that fee should’ve been more than reasonable enough in most years. But this year isn’t most years. This year, the minimum price of any player with two legs, a good pair of lungs, a strong heart, and familiarity with at least the concept oft his game called football is about £40m. And so that’s what Everton are looking for, at least something close to it, like £35m.

The £35m demand also pops up in the Telegraph’s round-up/preview of the final day, so there’s probably something to it.

Are Chelsea desperate enough for a signing, any signing, even one who can’t help immediately to pay that much?

Stay tuned for answer, which is bound to be disappointing regardless of whether it’s a yes or a no.