Tottenham Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Ross Barkley and Kevin Wimmer

Tottenham Hotspur reportedly won't follow up on interest in Everton playmaker Ross Barkley, despite the Toffees' willingness to sell the precocious midfielder.

Spurs are said to have discussed the possibility of signing Barkley, but the idea will go no further, according to Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail: "Recently a move to Tottenham has been mooted. It is understood that it is unlikely, even though Barkley's name has come up in conversations at White Hart Lane. At Spurs, Dele Alli would be in the way, as would Christian Eriksen."

Tottenham had been declared as one of the main interested parties in Barkley, after reports emerged Everton are ready to sell the 23-year-old.

Colin Mafham of the Sunday Express reported Toffees boss Ronald Koeman wants to sell Barkley to help fund a move for Manchester United pair Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay: "Manager Ronald Koeman's decision to use Barkley as a bargaining counter is one of several deals the Dutchman is hoping to pull off to kick start Everton's season. And Spurs, anxious to provide more quality support for Harry Kane, are expected to seek first refusal."

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The idea of signing Barkley would be a contentious one since he's regressed during the past three seasons. Barkley was once rightly considered perhaps the brightest young prospect in England.

He was a playmaker who combined imposing physical power with dynamic technique. Those qualities were showcased often during the 2013/14 season when Barkley emerged under the tutelage of then-manager Roberto Martinez.

However, the gifted schemer has gone backwards since. In particular, he hasn't shown progress since Koeman succeeded Martinez as manager, per the Daily Telegraph's Dan Zeqiri: "After 15 league appearances last season, Barkley had racked up six goals and five assists but has a modest two goals and two assists this term."

Zeqiri also noted how Koeman has publicly made it clear he expects more from Barkley at different times this season. There are just too many question marks surrounding Barkley for Spurs to justify forking out a small fortune to add another young English talent to the ranks.

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Manager Mauricio Pochettino's squad already houses Eric Dier, Dele Alli and Harry Kane. Those are players who are producing on a more consistent basis than a player who can match them for talent but whose potential remains frustratingly unfulfilled.

Kevin Wimmer Wanted by 3 Clubs

One young player struggling to make the breakthrough at Tottenham is Kevin Wimmer. The Austrian centre-back is not a first-team regular and is reportedly now being watched by three clubs.

Bundesliga duo Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund are said to be keen, per Tom Collomosse of the London Evening Standard. Collomosse also put Premier League side Southampton in the frame, citing interest from Chelsea and Manchester City in Virgil van Dijk as a motivating factor behind the interest in Wimmer.

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Still just 24, Wimmer has found it tough to convince Pochettino of his worth. He hasn't been able to usurp either Jan Vertonghen or Toby Alderweireld in the starting XI.

Wimmer isn't even the top deputy. Not when Pochettino often prefers to convert Dier from holding midfielder to makeshift centre-back.

When Wimmer has played this season, he's struggled. He was guilty of an own goal during November's north London derby against Arsenal, a mistake that condemned Spurs to a 1-1 draw.

Wimmer hasn't played much since. He couldn't use Alderweireld's lengthy injury absence to stake his claim for more playing time.

Wimmer looks like a player whose career development will be better served by a move away from Spurs. Similarly, Barkley will probably progress more once he leaves Everton, but his next destination is unlikely to be Tottenham.