Call it sensationalism but we see this transfer as a microcosm of the current battle for superiority between Manchester United and Manchester City.
We strongly believe that whoever manages to sign Ross Barkley will gain the age on the other for the next decade. Manchester United have long been linked with a big bid for the player but, of late, there has been an increasing sense that Manchester City see this guy as the natural and only credible successor to the wonderful Yaya Toure.
Latest reports suggest that Manchester City will break the British transfer record to bring him to the club.
Manchester City will have to shell out £60m to land Ross Barkley
City remain at the forefront of the suitors and are poised to at least double Barkley’s wage – and match the asking price that would make Barkley a record for an Englishman, and that potential deal would be the biggest between two British clubs.
Barkley is as close to Wayne Rooney as it gets in this latest generation of Englishmen. He’s got the technique of a Spaniard but the will, desire and physical power to carry teams through games with sheer grit and determination – like the Manchester United star he’s a complete footballer. They may play in slightly different positions but they have a similar omnipresence in top level football games.
We think that, despite his apparent happiness on Merseyside that big bids will come in this summer. But he won’t be sold without an alright fight and may want to say for another year.
Let’s see him in action.
