Many Everton fans have been mocking Ross Barkley on social media after Ajax confirmed they had accepted a €40million bid from Chelsea for Morocco international Hakim Ziyech.
Barkley left Goodison Park for pastures new with Chelsea in January 2018 after Everton accepted a £15m offer from the Stamford Bridge natives, half what we could have made the previous summer when the midfielder turned down a potential £30m move to South West London.
The England international described his eventual transfer to Chelsea as “a fresh start” after 13 years at Goodison Park, but the 26-year-old has only managed to record 21 starts in 39 Premier League outings from a possible 60 games since.
He has also only scored three times and been credited with five assists in the top-flight since leaving Merseyside, and could now struggle for further minutes with Ziyech bound to join Frank Lampard’s Blues this summer.
Ajax confirmed on Thursday that they had accepted a €40m (£33.2m) offer for Ziyech to move to Stamford Bridge at the close of the current campaign, while potential add-ons could see the fee eventually reach €44m (£36.6m).
Would you bring Barkley back to Goodison in the summer?
Yes, absolutely
Yes, but only on loan
No, he isn't good enough
Ziyech, who was linked with a move to Everton last summer, has scored eight times in 30 appearances across all competitions this season, but is a creative genius with 21 assists to his name.
He finished last term with 24 assists in all competitions, while also finding the back of the net 21 times including two strikes against Real Madrid in the Champions League and once at home to Tottenham Hotspur in the Semi-Finals.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans mocked Barkley and his now dubious future at Chelsea after Ajax announced that Ziyech was bound for Stamford Bridge…
West Brom on loan next season
— Dean Evans (@dixiescousin) February 13, 2020
West Ham’s bench next year
— Julian Farrell (@blue_julio) February 13, 2020
Have zero sympathy for Ross Barkley. Was determined to leave us and now look what’s happening to him. Actually I don’t care. @EvertonBlueArmy .
— Peter Papadopoulos (@PeterPapadopo11) February 14, 2020
When @SunderlandAFC come knocking…
— TorontoToffees (@TO_Toffees) February 13, 2020
He’ll probs end up at Stoke😂
— Everton Four (@EvertonFourIG) February 13, 2020
Championship is his level
— Neil (@NeilA1878) February 13, 2020
What an absolute waste of a half decent talent and had he just knuckled down instead of being so petulant towards the end and instead of believing the southern based media as to just how good he really was he could have it all in his own city at his beloved goodison park
— BILLO (@POPEYETOM1) February 13, 2020
Proof, the grass isn’t always greener
Barclay
Rodwell
Gosling— Cheryl swanick (@Cheryl01375906) February 13, 2020
Leeds will pick him up next year
— mbp (@Philatty) February 13, 2020
In other Everton news, Carlo Ancelotti is reportedly eying a €20m deep-lying playmaker who is attracting interest from multiple English sides.