According to reports in the Daily Mail, Everton attacking midfielder Ross Barkley has suffered a hamstring injury in training, and it could damage his chances of completing a move away from the club before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

The 23-year-old had looked set to leave the Toffees after turning down the chance to extend his stay at Goodison Park, with the Merseyside outfit keen to sell him now rather than losing him for nothing in 2018 when his current deal ends.

The Daily Mail names Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal as the clubs interested in the England international, with the former believing they could get him for £25m despite Everton valuing him at double that price, according to The Telegraph on August 9.

The injury may well affect the midfielder’s chances of passing a medical with one of his potential suitors, and the likes of Spurs may need to look elsewhere for a new target.

Here are three Barkley alternatives Tottenham could sign…

Kerem Demirbay

 

The 24-year-old was one of the key members of the Hoffenheim side that clinched a fourth-place finish in the Bundesliga last season and Champions League qualification as a result.

The Germany international – who scored against Cameroon at this summer’s Confederations Cup – lined up against Liverpool on Tuesday night, and has already provided one assist in his two appearances for the German outfit this term.

The attacking midfielder has followed on from last season in that sense – when he provided 10 assists and scored six goals in 28 Bundesliga outings – and he would certainly provide the likes of Christian Eriksen and Dele Alli with some competition at Tottenham.

Thorgan Hazard

Whether Eden’s brother would join one of Chelsea’s main Premier League rivals would be interesting to see, but there is little doubt that he would have a huge impact if he did make the move to England.

The 24-year-old, who usually plays in a central attacking midfield role but also can play out wide or as a second striker, has one assist in one appearance for Borussia Monchengladbach in the new season.

The Belgian will be hoping to hit the heights of last term though, when he scored 11 goals and provided a further seven assists in 33 outings in all competitions.

With that record and experience of playing in the Champions League, Hazard could prove to be an inspired addition for Tottenham.

Hakim Ziyech

The Morocco international became known as the assist king in the Eredivisie during his time with FC Twente, and he certainly didn’t disappoint on that title when he joined Ajax last summer.

The 24-year-old central attacking midfielder scored 12 goals and provided an impressive 20 assists in 46 appearances in all competitions for the Dutch giants last season, and was one of their key players in their run to the Europa League final – where they were beaten by Manchester United.

Ziyech, who has also played in a deeper central midfield role when needed, has one goal and one assist in three outings this term and he would certainly be an interesting addition for Tottenham and the Premier League.

Do you agree, Spurs fans? Let us know below.