Wayne Rooney wants Ross Barkley to stay at Everton

Tottenham may also be keen on selling Moussa Sissoko, who Everton were also keen on last summer, before they sign Ross Barkley.

However Tottenham are now unwilling to sanction a deal beyond £30m for the 23-year-old, who was regularly challenged by Ronald Koeman last season.

Swansea are holding out for 50 million pounds to sell Gylfi, who left White Hart Lane just before Mauricio Pochettino arrived.

But Rooney, back for a second stint at his boyhood club, wants the 23-year-old England worldwide to stay at Goodison Park.

A 22-time England global, Barkley came through the youth system at Everton.

Throughout his time in English football with Southampton and Spurs, Pochettino has been lauded for maximising the potential of English players at his disposal ranging from young unproven talents such as Harry Kane to experienced professionals like Rickie Lambert. Even if Spurs get the price down to £30 million, that's still too much for a player who really isn't that great and would be available on a free transfer the following summer.

Speaking about Barkley's future at Everton this week, Ronald Koeman said: "At the moment it is not a clear situation".

Spurs have widely reported as suitors for Barkley recently and it appears a move could be back on the cards. And he's the type of player Pochettino will be able to influence, mold and extract the best from.

Everton departed today for a six-day visit to Holland and Belgium without Barkley, who has entered the final year of his contract.

Barkley playing for Spurs is not only advantageous for the Lilywhites, but also for the Three Lions, the composition of which is already primarily made up of Tottenham's first team.