Tottenham are considering a shock move to re-sign Gylfi Sigurdsson from Swansea.

Sportsmail understands that Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino believes that the former Tottenham playmaker could be a better and cheaper alternative to signing long-term target Ross Barkley from Everton.

Pochettino has been keen on Barkley for months and still rates him highly. But the Tottenham manager knows that Everton want up to £50million for the 23-year-old and is now considering a £25m move for a player he always believed should never have been sold in the first place.

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Gylfi Sigurdsson could be set for a shock return to Tottenham - three years after he left

Talented playmaker Sigurdsson joined Swansea when Mauricio Pochettino arrived at Spurs

Sigurdsson moved from White Hart Lane to Swansea in the summer of 2014. Pochettino had just arrived and was not involved in the decision.

Only last December he admitted the transfer had been a mistake and said that Sigurdsson would 'have been perfect for us'.

Any move for the 27-year-old would mirror Manchester United's current move to re-sign central defender Michael Keane from Burnley for £25m even though they let him go for £2m two years ago.

Ironically, the club who have expressed the firmest interest in the Icelander so far are Everton, who are preparing to lose Barkley after he failed to sign a new contract this month.

Pochettino believes Barkley, 23, needs work while Sigurdsson is the finished article. He also knows the club, having made 58 league appearances for Spurs between 2012 and 2014.

Ross Barkley has a £50m price-tag on his head and Tottenham are considering other options