Manchester City will NOT ditch plans to launch a mega-money bid for Everton midfielder Ross Barkley in 2015 despite him signing a new contract today, Football Express News can reveal.
The England international has put pen to paper on a lucrative extension which runs until 2018, ensuring he will still be a Toffees player when the summer transfer window slams shut.
However, a source close to the Etihad Stadium told FEN they have every intention of testing Everton’s resolve to keep hold of their most promising youngster in 12 months’ time – just as we reported on three weeks ago.
The insider admitted there was an acceptance in the corridors of power that there was little or no chance of landing him during the current window, as the Merseysiders would have demanded an astronomical price and the player himself has expressed no desire to leave.
However, City view the 20-year-old as the long-term successor to talisman Yaya Toure, who is 11 years older and at the peak of his powers.
The centre of midfield is less of a priority for boss Manuel Pellegrini following last month’s acquisition of Brazilian box-to-box man Fernando from Portugese giants Porto.
Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations also bring a spending cap to City this summer, which is not expected to be present 12 months down the line.
Barkley announced himself on the biggest stage of all by featuring in England’s ill-fated World Cup campaign in Brazil, which ended in the group stage without a solitary victory.