Tottenham round-up: Barkley update; Roma beat Spurs to Leicester midfielder; Pochettino talks transfers

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In the latest update in the ongoing Ross Barkley transfer saga, The Sun reports that the England international could be pricing himself out of a move to Tottenham this summer with his financial demands.

The 23-year-old was reportedly offered around £100,000-a-week to stay at Everton by manager Ronald Koeman – which he didn’t take – and Spurs feel they won’t be able to match this amount.

Hugo Lloris and Harry Kane, the highest-earners at White Hart Lane, both earn a little less than this and it is unlikely that the north London side would immediately make Barkley their highest-paid man.

Everton are yet to budge on their £35 million valuation of Barkley, with just 12 months left on his contract at Goodison Park, and it is thought that Spurs chairman Daniel Levy is not prepared to meet their price tag.

In other news, Tottenham look set to have missed out on signing want-away Leicester City midfielder Riyad Mahrez this summer after reports in Italy claim he’s set to have a medical with Italian side Roma.

Reports in the Daily Express, yesterday, had claimed that the Algerian star was on the radar of Tottenham as they look to add strength in depth to their squad ahead of the looming new season.

But Corrierre dello Sport understand this morning that Mahrez is poised to undertake a medical in the Italian capital on Wednesday ahead of a move, which is believed to earn the Foxes around £31.3 million.

The 26-year-old, who made a name for himself during Leicester City’s stunning Premier League triumph in 2016, told the club in May that he wanted to leave, and it seems that Roma will be his next destination.

Finally, Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has insisted that his side are actively pursuing their transfer targets this summer despite being the only Premier League not to make any additions yet.

Despite being heavily linked with the likes of Ross Barkley, chairman Daniel Levy hasn’t delved into his pockets just yet and it’s possible Spurs will start the new season on August 13 with the same personnel.

But speaking after their pre-season defeat to Manchester City, the Standard report Pochettino as saying:

“Maybe today they have a little bit of an advantage, they are ahead of us because they have signed and kept the players that they want.

“We are a little bit behind but working hard to sign some players who can help us and bring some energy, and make us more competitive.”

In a quiet summer so far, the only activity to take place at White Hart Lane up until now has been the exit of Kyle Walker to Manchester City in a £50 million move and Clinton Njie’s Marseille switch.