Everton midfielder Ross Barkley was one of the main figures in the transfer gossip pages during the summer window.

The England international was heavily linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, but it never materialised.

In fact, Everton majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri revealed to the media on deadline day that Barkley had refused a last-minute switch to Chelsea.

There were conflicting reports about whether or not the midfielder had changed his mind about moving to Stamford Bridge during the medical, but in the end, Barkley stayed at Everton.

The 23-year-old has not played at all this season due to a hamstring injury and is not expected to return until December.

Despite the lack of game time, Tottenham and Chelsea remain keen on signing the midfielder in January in what could be a cut-price £20m deal, according to the Daily Mail.

ESPN pundit Shaka Hislop believes that a move to Spurs could be possible, but only if Barkley lowers his wage demands.

The former Premier League goalkeeper told ESPN:

“Well, I think it’s possible. He’s got to step down from what was reportedly his wage demands in the summer. He was widely touted to make a move in the summer but he wanted to be the highest paid midfield player on Spurs’ books, that’s not going to happen.

“I’m not absolutely certain [that he would start]. I’ll put this down as a hit in that I think it happens. But he’s got to come down off his high horse a little hit to make this happen.”