Ross Barkley was on the verge of joining Chelsea (Getty)

Ross Barkley became the biggest story of transfer deadline day despite not moving clubs.

The Everton midfielder had been linked with a move away from Goodison Park all summer, with Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal among those linked with the England international.

Chelsea managed to agree a £35million fee for the 23-year-old and Barkley duly travelled to Surrey to undergo a medical with the Premier League champions and agree personal terms.

But Barkley had a change of heart, either during or just after his medical. According to Farhad Moshiri, Everton’s majority shareholder, the midfielder decided he wanted to wait until January to make a decision about his future.

Barkley stays at Everton (Getty)

Everyone was perplexed by the decision, with ex-Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson telling Sky Sports: ‘You can’t live in Liverpool for the rest of your life!’

Here’s the best of the reaction…

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