SAM ALLARDYCE fears Ross Barkley may already be out the door at Everton.
Barkley was close to a move to Chelsea on deadline day but opted to stay at Goodison Park to recover from a hamstring injury.
The England international has not played since May and Allardyce admits he does not know if he will be able to keep hold of him in January.
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Allardyce told Sky Sports after Everton’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield Town on Saturday: “I’d like to think we can keep Barkley, unless somebody’s already done a deal for him.
“I am not daft enough to know in this game that those words and phone calls might not have already gone on.
“If we could get Ross Barkley to stay then nobody would be more delighted than me. Whether that is a possibility I do not know.
“For me it’s about getting him back in the squad first and seeing where we are from there.”
Everton have reportedly offered Barkley a new contract but the midfielder has not committed his future.
Chelsea, who had a £35million deal agreed in the summer, are said to still be interested in Barkley.
Tottenham have also been linked with a move for the England international whose contract ends next summer.