Gossip: Tottenham considering £60m double deal

Matt Stead

SPURRED ON
Tottenham have a list of transfer targets, and Ross Barkley ‘features prominently’ at the top. That is the claim from the London Evening Standard, who have a tasty exclusive.

The story is that Tottenham have made ‘tentative enquiries’ about the availability of the Everton midfielder. Our immediate thought was that the response would include two words, the first of which is an expletive. But then you consider that Barkley does not have the full confidence of manager Ronald Koeman, while his contract expires next summer. At that stage, it becomes at least slightly possible.

The price could be a sticking point for a Tottenham side whose most expensive player ever is Moussa Sissoko. The Standard say £35million is the minimum Everton will ask for. That is a lot of money for what is essentially potential, albeit a hell of a lot of potential. Tom Collomosse writes:

‘Although Mauricio Pochettino has plenty of players who can make up the trio behind Kane in a 4-2-3-1 system, he still believes Spurs need a man who can carry the ball at pace and beat opponents.’

 

ZAHA!
Elsewhere in the crazy world of Tottenham transfers, Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha is also wanted.

The club are long-term admirers of the 24-year-old, but it is believed that they will renew their interest in January. The Daily Express and The Metro are among those reporting as such.

The initial claim comes from website Squawka, whose exclusive states that Zaha would consider the move, but that Tottenham must part with at least £25million for a deal to be possible. They themselves do add that a January move is unlikely.

 

OSCAR WINNER
Staying in London, and there is an update on Oscar’s future at Chelsea. One would be forgiven for thinking no such update was necessary, the Brazilian having confirmed on Wednesday that his move to the Chinese Super League was “90 per cent certain”. Think again.

Sky Sports throw a spanner in the works by stating that the Brazilian wishes to stay at Stamford Bridge and fight for his place. The prospect of a Premier League winner’s medal presumably has nothing to do with it.

 

AND THE REST
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has watched Anderlecht left-winger Frank Acheampong, 23, several times this season and could make a £6m move for the Ghana international…Everton have opened talks with Manchester United over Morgan Schneiderlin and are expected to seal a £24million deal quickly…Claudio Bravo has been offered an escape route from Manchester City, with three La Liga clubs reportedly interested in signing the Chile goalkeeper…Chelsea could replace Oscar with Genoa’s Diego Laxalt after the player’s agent claimed Antonio Conte has scouted him…Swansea boss Bob Bradley wants to sign a defender, a midfielder and a striker in the January transfer window…Arsenal have opened discussions with AZ Alkmaar to sign promising young goalkeeper Jasper Schendelaar…Ivan Rakitic is expected to reject Manchester United to fight for his place at Barcelona…Arsenal are yet to open talks with Kieran Gibbs over extending his current deal at the Emirates…Crystal Palace are refusing to budge on the £8m valuation of Brazilian star Lucas Lima.