5 players who could replace Ross Barkley

When Ross Barkley broke into the Everton first team in 2010, Toffees fans' hoped they had unearthed another youngster who could rival the impact Wayne Rooney had before moving to Manchester United. Famous for their love of home grown talent, the Goodison Park faithful took the midfielder to their hearts with his his fully committed displays in the blue shirt.

However, although there have been moments of brilliance, many believe that Barkley has not fulfilled his potential and reports suggest the club may be ready to cash in on the England International with Tottenham supposedly showing interest in securing his services.

If Everton were to sell Barkley who would they replace him with? Fantr chooses their top 5 replacements below:

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Juan Mata
A long time target for the Merseyside club Juan Mata would be a great signing even if Barkley stays. With his direct style and eye for the spectacular he would quickly become a fan favourite. Jose Mourinho let the Spain International go once, while he was at Chelsea, so the idea he may sanction a transfer again is not beyond the imagination.

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Gylfi Sigurðsson
Expected to be on most clubs radars this summer, the Icelandic International has been in devastating form this season with 8 goals in 22 games for Swansea and a hat full of assists which has helped drag the welsh club away from the Relegation zone. With £25million thought to be enough to prize him away from Swansea, in today's crazy transfer market, this would be seen as a bargain for a proven Premier League player.

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Marek Hamsik
The most unlikely on the list ... but just imagine Hamsik in an Everton shirt. Arguably the player Everton fan's wish Barkley had become Hamsik has close to god like status at Napoli after 10 years with the Italian club. A devastatingly direct midfielder the Slovakian International would fit perfectly into Koeman's side. On the downside Hamsik has reportedly turned down multiple approaches from other Premier League club's such as Arsenal and Chelsea, so this one could just be a Fantr pipedream!

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Tom Davies
Maybe the answer to Ross Barkley's possible departure is a little closer to home. After receiving his debut from former Everton boss Roberto Martinez, the young scouser has stepped up to the plate and is now the latest in a long line of graduates from the Everton Academy to cement their place in the first team. Although not strictly the same type of player as Barkley, Davies' composure on the ball and direct style could be adapted to play a more attacking style. Sometimes the best things are right under your nose!

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Wayne Rooney
We'll leave the best till last ... possibly. Wayne Rooney has always been a hero to the Goodison Park faithful and the idea for him to come back to where it all began and pull on the famous blue shirt would be a dream come true for Everton fans. England and Manchester United's greatest ever goalscorer has broken records his whole career however as the years go by and age has crept up on him his influence on the pitch has become less. That being said. dropping back slightly deeper into a more midfield role would probably suit Rooney and a move home to the club he supported as a boy may be too tempting to turn down.