Ross Barkley transfer in doubt after he suffers torn hamstring which could leave him out for six weeks
Scans show the midfielder has a grade three tear which could end his chances of a move away
ROSS BARKLEY’S £50million Everton escape could be scuppered by a torn hamstring.
The England midfielder, 23, is expected to be sidelined for around six weeks.
Barkley is desperate to move before the transfer deadline, with Tottenham, Chelsea and Arsenal all interested.
But scans have confirmed a grade three tear which could put paid to any switch before January.
Toffees boss Ronald Koeman has already given up on Barkley after he refused to sign a new deal.
But Everton want £50million for a player who had only just returned to training from groin surgery before breaking down again.
Barkley – who has just one year left on his contract at Goodison Park – failed to play in any pre-season game for Everton and was not included in the squad in the 1-0 win over Stoke.
The 23-year-old was due to be in contention for a place in Ronald Koeman's team selection against Manchester City next Monday night.
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His injury will come as a huge blow to his potential suitors, with Spurs and Chelsea the main clubs vying for his signature.
Koeman recently revealed he could stay beyond the summer after revealing they have received no offers for their youth prodigy.
Mauricio Pochettino holds him in high esteem, and believes he could convert him to a central midfielder, though they are reluctant to pay the £50million Everton are holding out for.
Chelsea are prepared to wait until the close of the transfer window and offer around £25m, with the Toffees either having to accept or risk losing him on a free.
Speaking recently, Koeman said: "We won’t let him go cheap, of course not.
"We have the experience of what we need to pay for players who came here and had one year of contract.
"If there is a club thinking we can wait until the last day and we put some money on the table and we get Ross Barkley, sorry, you do not get Ross Barkley."