Moussa Sissoko in a player-plus-cash deal for Ross Barkley, is this a beneficiary deal or makes any sense for the London club? Let’s see.
Tottenham Hotspur are no longer in the title race but they have already earned a spot for the Champions League and the manager will now be responsible for improving his squad and making progress in all competition next season. Mauricio Pochettino has been targeting some huge names recently and one name that is constantly linked to Tottenham is Everton’s Ross Barkley.
The England international is yet to sign a new deal with the Toffees and is demanding higher wages. Some reports earlier in the season suggested that the Argentine boss and Ronald Koeman – the Everton manager, are ready to swap players in a shocking deal. It is reported according to Goal that Koeman’s side are ready to let the English midfielder join Spurs and are happy to take Moussa Sissoko to the Goodison Park in the transfer window. Is this a beneficiary deal or makes any sense for the London club?
It’s difficult to find a single Tottenham fan who will want Sissoko to remain at the club this summer. The Frenchman moved to the Lane from a relegated Newcastle United last summer. However, he has found life difficult as he’s fail to replicate his form in the Premier League from the previous season and has not in any way been productive this season.
Sissoko has failed to find the back of the net in 32 appearances across all competitions for Spurs this season and has just 4 assists to his name this season. Spurs winger Son Heung-min has been regularly used over the Frenchman and it increasingly looks like he has little future at the club.
Letting Sissoko go will reduce their depth in the squad but Pochettino would be replacing him with a top-class star. Everton’s Ross Barkley could yet prove to be ideal replacement on the former Newcastle man.
The Everton midfielder has played 34 league games this season and he has been a first-team regular under Ronald Koeman. Barkley has 4 goals and 9 assists to his name but has been subject to critics for the lack of consistency in crunch games. He’s capable of playing in any of the roles behind the striker, as a versatile youngster, he fits the bill for Spurs’ buying requirements.
He has lost a place in the English national team recently but moving to the Lane can see him revive his career, playing under one of the best man-managers in Europe. The likes of Harry Kane, Dele Alli, and Eric Dier are also going to help him settle into the team, making him the most-preferred option.
There are no chances of regular football for Sissoko even if he decides to stay in London. Therefore, it is better for him to be ship out to Everton, first to make a place in the squad and get rid of him, and secondly, to negotiate a deal for Barkley, who is also on the verge of an exit.