Ross Barkley is between a rock and a hard place.

Currently, his bid to leave Everton this summer has done him no favours and has left him in something of a state of limbo. It seems almost certain that the Englishman will leave this summer; the destination is a different question, though.

The midfielder has already turned down a £110,000-a-week contract from Everton with his current deal running out in 12 months. Even when the deal had the potential to rise to £120,000-a-week, he remained resolute.

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This however, has worked against him. It has compelled Ronald Koeman to ensure his sale at all costs if he continues to refuse a new contract.

His future at Goodison Park appears even further beyond repair when you consider the club’s furious interest in Gylfi Sigurdsson. It is believed that Koeman, in spite of a £50 million asking price, is confident of acquiring the Icelandic midfielder.

Moreover, it has sought to repel Tottenham with reports even going as far as stating that Barkley wanted to be Spurs’ highest paid player. Mauricio Pochettino’s men are yet to spend a single penny in this summer’s window.

When you consider that Spurs had always been the frontrunners for the 23-year-old, the news comes as both a shock and a warning.

However, Manchester United could save the day. Kind of, anyway.

According to the Mirror, the Red Devils are plotting an ingenious plan to stay in the running for Barkley and to pounce if circumstances suit them. Jose Mourinho is believed to be a big fan of the Englishman.

Similar to Sigurdsson, Barkley has also been slapped with a £50 million price tag and United do not consider this a representative price. Nevertheless, the club is hoping that this valuation will plummet as time passes.

If Barkley continues to ruffle feathers in Everton, the Toffees are likely to make compromises on transfer fees as the likelihood of selling him declines. United’s chances would also soar in the apparent end of interest from Spurs and Chelsea.

Mourinho will keep a quiet eye on the Everton man and, if his valuation sinks beneath £20 million, will instigate a last minute move for the midfielder.

Such a transfer would come in spite of United’s rich arsenal of attacking midfield talent. That being said, capturing Barkley for such a price would simply be a win-win situation for the club.

Either he rises to be the star he has always been tipped to be or the Red Devils play on his age to ensure they recoup his price regardless of failure. That’s not to mention the fact £20 million would appear a bargain in this summer’s market.

For Barkley’s sake, he’ll certainly be hoping United make a move. Regardless of history, teammates and prestige – he simply needs a club to rescue him from the hole he has dug for himself.

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