Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has earmarked £35m-rated Everton midfielder Ross Barkley as the ideal playmaker to bring the best out of star striker Harry Kane, reports The London Evening Standard.
Barkley was tipped as the best English talent since Wayne Rooney when he emerged through the Everton academy but his progress has stalled in recent seasons and he was even an unused substitute in their recent 1-1 draw with Manchester United.
The 23-year-old returned to the starting XI against Arsenal on Tuesday and turned in arguably his best performance of the season as Everton ran out 2-1 winners at Goodison Park.
However, the England international is now on the radar of Tottenham, who are hopeful of taking advantage of the doubts over his long-term future at his boyhood club.
Barkley’s existing deal is due to expire at the end of the next season and Tottenham are weighing up a sensational £35m January bid in order to pry the Everton No.8 away from Goodison Park, although a deal would appear unlikely given how clubs are usually unwilling to do business in the winter transfer window.
Since the start of last season campaigns only four players have completed more dribbles in the Premier League than Barkley (130).
For more stats on Ross Barkley, click here to visit his WhoScored player page
