Six days on from Ronald Koeman telling Ross Barkley he had a week to commit his future to Everton or be sold this summer, and the club are conspicuously quiet.
For Toffees fans, this is almost certainly a case of no news being bad news.
Yet, according to The Times, there could be a major obstacle in the midfielder’s way if he does decide to quit Goodison Park.
The England international has had another season of highs and lows and has come under the spotlight more than once for his late tackles.
That could make other clubs a little hesitant to splash out.
It’s claimed, though, that Everton have slapped a £50million price tag on his head.
That strategy almost certainly stopped Romelu Lukaku from joining Chelsea last summer, so it remains to be seen whether it will force Barkley into signing the £100,000-a-week contract on the table.
Koeman may be being a little short-sighted here. Barkley has just a year left on his contract, so if he doesn’t commit, he can leave for free at the end of next season.
Everton are reportedly hopeful, however, because they are looking to the example of Robin van Persie, who joined Manchester United from Arsenal for £24million in his final year.
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