Barkley: I never had medical at Chelsea

ROSS BARKLEY’S aborted £35million transfer to Chelsea continues to sour, with the player and current club Everton at loggerheads over why the deadline-day deal collapsed.

Barkley, whose proposed switch to the champions was dramatically pulled late on Thursday, yesterday denied a previous statement from Everton owner Farhad Moshiri that he had taken a medical before changing his mind over the move.

But Everton feel they have been led on by the 23-year-old who they say had agreed personal terms with Chelsea and travelled to their training base to complete the deal.

Barkley broke his silence by tweeting: ‘Contrary to a number of reports in the press, I did not undertake a medical with any club at any point.

‘I simply decided that due to my injury, it would be best to make a decision on my future and assess all my options in January when fully fit. Thanks for all of the support.’

But Everton are amazed that the player has been so disingenuous given the fact he had travelled all the way to London in order to complete a medical, regardless of whether it was actually taken.

Barkley’s contract at Everton expires in the summer and he turned down a £100,000-a-week offer from Everton this year. He is still expected to leave in January.