Chambers is Everton Plan B as Keane chase stalls

held to ransom in his transfer talks with Barkley, who is now set to confirm his long-mooted switch to Tottenham.

The England international has just 12 months remaining on his contract but even in an inflated market the north London club will be unwilling to sanction a deal in excess of £15m.

That cash will help offset this week’s splurge in the transfer market that has reached £53.5m following the arrival of keeper Jordan Pickford, 23.

The capture of the Sunderland keeper will be seen as a feather in the cap for recruitment guru Steve Walsh.

The former Chelsea coach has been tracking the youngster for some time.

He approached Sam Allardyce for a reference on the player shortly after he left the Stadium of Light as manager.