Everton outcast Ross Barkley says he is searching for ‘a new challenge’, but the biggest challenges ahead of him are not likely to be the ones he had in mind.

The midfielder faces an uphill battle to find a club to fork out his astronomical price tag, and to kickstart his England career.

Yes, we live in a world of £50million full backs, but Everton are certainly chancing their arm with their asking price for Barkley.

Toffees boss Ronald Koeman was asked this week if he expects the England international to leave Goodison Park this summer. His answer?

Yes, 100 per cent.”

The likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur have been regularly linked with Barkley, but with a reported asking price of £50million and wages north of £100,000 per week, is anyone going to buy him?

Only six Premier League clubs can realistically afford him at that price – United, Spurs, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City – and despite boasting impressive talent and potential, he does not possess elite ability which would improve any of those sides.

At 23, he is not a young player anymore and, although logic has eluded many chairmen when sanctioning poorly-advised, big-money transfers, interest in Barkley at £50million will be dwindling.

His agent might point to the fact he notched more goals and assists than the likes of David Silva, Paul Pogba or Henrikh Mkhitaryan last term, but he has lacked consistency throughout a career which has flattered to deceive.

So with England’s top six setting their sights on world-class players, where does that leave the once highly-touted Evertonian?

Europe’s elite will either not be interested or priced out of a move, and Everton’s new-found financial strength means there is no need to flog him on the cheap.

Barkley’s last hope of a move to a top club could hinge on Tottenham and Daniel Levy panicking after making no additions so far this summer, but with Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen and Son Heung-Min ahead of him in the pecking order it does not seem to be an ideal landing spot.

A more realistic prospect could be a loan move to a mid-table side in what would be an unceremonious fall from grace for a player who drew comparisons with Wayne Rooney many predicted would become a talisman for club and country.

Be careful what you wish for, Ross.

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