David Unsworth keen on Ross Barkley stay

Everton caretaker manager David Unsworth has expressed his eagerness to keep Ross Barkley at Goodison Park beyond the expiry of his contract next summer.

The England international was on the cusp of sealing a move to Chelsea on transfer deadline day in August, but he ultimately changed his mind due to a hamstring injury sustained in mid-August.

Barkley has since been linked with a switch to Tottenham Hotspur, as per The Star, but Unsworth, who is in temporary charge of Everton, is hopeful that the attacker can stay at the club and become one of the all-time greats.

"I would absolutely love him to stay," he told reporters, via ESPN. "He is a top talent. Everton has done great for him and he has done great for Everton, but he could be one of the all-time greats here."

Barkley is still recuperating from his injury sustained at the start of the season, and he could be potentially out until early December at the least.

Everton had quoted a £35m fee for his services last summer, but they are likely to lower this value in January, should they decide to cash in on his services - in the final six months of his contract.