Hot favourites Tottenham face new rival in £30m playmaker chase – report
By Harry Sykes
Chelsea are ready to rival Tottenham in the race to sign Everton playmaker Ross Barkley, according to a report.
The Telegraph claim Spurs had been leading the chase to land Barkley amid doubts over his Goodison Park future.
It is said the north Londoners now face strong competition from their bitter capital rivals for the signature of the England international, 23.
The Telegraph report that that Chelsea are weighing up a £100million mega-swoop for Barkley and his Everton teammate Romelu Lukaku.
The Premier League leaders are keeping close tabs on the situation of Barkley, who has not extended a contract that expires in the summer of 2018.
Nevertheless, it is reported that Everton will refuse sell their academy product for less than £30million should it appear that he wants to leave this summer.
Barkley has come under fire from supporters and his own manager Ronald Koeman this season but his form has improved considerably in recent months after a short spell on the substitute’s bench before Christmas.
The 23-year-old has started every game since 30 December and has scored twice and provided four assists in that time.
In 29 matches in all competitions this season, Barkley has weighed in with five goals and seven assists, a reasonable return from an attacking midfielder.
In other Everton news, Lukaku delivers an incredible put-down of Tottenham’s Harry Kane.
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