Liverpool Mayor calls for FA investigation into Ross Barkley's £15m move from Everton to Chelsea

Liverpool mayor Joe Anderson has called for an FA investigation into Ross Barkley's £15m move from Everton to Chelsea.

In a Twitter outburst, the 59-year-old elected official claimed the deal needs looking into from football's governing body after the transfer price dropped by £20m from a potential move last summer.

Barkley had undertaken a medial at Chelsea's Cobham training ground back in August ahead of a £35m move before the plug was pulled at the final hour and after not playing a minute since due to injury he completed a £15m move to the Blues on Friday.

It was enough to prompt Anderson - a lifelong Toffees fan - to question the deal. He tweeted: “I will be writing to the Premier League and the FA calling for investigation into the circumstances around the transfer of Ross Barkley between Everton and Chelsea.

"Agent pulls transfer on deadline day of £35 million doesn’t play again transfer for months later £20 million

"We also got a good deal in a transfer fee that was honest, everyone knows Barkley is worth at least £50 million in today’s market, don’t mind him going but club and fans being ripped off".

Responding to a Twitter user who pointed out Barkley's contract at Everton was up in the summer, Anderson added: "Wake up smell the coffee, last summer four months ago EFC accepted a bid from Chelsea for £35 million the deal was pulled by Barkley and agent."

Chelsea is only Barkley's second permanent club having joined Everton as an 11-year-old and worked his way up through the ranks, making his debut as a 17-year-old and going on to make 179 appearances for the club. But a move away from his boyhood club has been on the cards for a while after struggling for game time at Goodison Park and fell out with the hierarchy.

Mayor Anderson was left seething by the transfer fee for a player Everton had developed, adding: "Both Lukaku and Stones not homegrown talent left Everton and we got a great price, Barkley home grown player has left and has cost Everton £20 million at least. There is no defence for me of him,he could have signed a longer contract and still left the club."

Barkley appeared relieved to be leaving Everton and at his Chelsea unveiling said: "To be given a fresh start at a new club like Chelsea, it’s unbelievable for me."

The FA are yet to respond to Anderson's tweets.