Tottenham Hotspur 'want Ross Barkley in defensive midfield'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 28 July 2017

Spurs 'want Barkley in defensive midfield'

Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino reportedly sees Ross Barkley as a long-term replacement for Mousa Dembele and wants to alter the midfielder's role.

Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly planning to convert Ross Barkley into a deeper-lying central midfielder should he join the club this summer.

Barkley looks certain to leave Everton during the current transfer window after telling Toffees boss Ronald Koeman that he wants a new challenge, with Spurs among the frontrunners to sign the England international.

The Premier League runners-up have reportedly been put off by Everton's £50m asking price and the player's wage demands, but should those drop then it is understood that they would be interested in making a move.

However, The Times reports that Pochettino wants to alter Barkley's role from an attacking midfielder into a central midfielder in the mould of Mousa Dembele.

Dembele is expected to remain an important part of the Spurs side for the two years left on his contract, but Pochettino is reportedly worried that the 30-year-old will not have the longevity to go much further beyond that.

The Argentine boss is therefore planning to turn Barkley into Dembele's long-term successor if Spurs seal his signature.

However, the North Londoners are expected to face competition from the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal to sign the 23-year-old.