Arsenal could step up their pursuit of Everton midfielder Ross Barkley amid suggestions that he could favour a move to London during the summer transfer window.
The England international is attracting interest from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Arsenal ahead of a potential exit from Goodison Park during the off-season.
Barkley initially struggled to cement his place under Toffees boss Ronald Koeman, and he found himself warming the substitutes’ bench – which in hand brought question marks over his future.
However, his performances since the festive period have earned him plaudits from the club’s faithful, and he seems to have finally won over Koeman, who understands the need to keep hold of the midfielder beyond the summer.
Barkley is currently approaching the final 12 months of his existing deal, and talks over an extension are yet to progress with the Toffees more focused on the contract situation of Romelu Lukaku.
Lukaku has snubbed a fresh contract at the Toffees owing to their lack of ambition in recent years, and Barkley could follow suit as he does not mind leaving the Merseyside for a switch to the English capital, The Mirror reports.
Barkley has notched two goals and assisted a further five since the turn of the year, and his progress has captured the attention of several London clubs including Arsenal.
Manager Arsene Wenger has recently confirmed that the club will delay contract negotiations with Mesut Ozil until the end of the campaign, and any failure to extend the German’s deal could see him being sold in the summer.
Barkley has featured in both the number ’10’ role and on the right wing this season, and he could prove to be the perfect player to add more creativity to the Gunners attack ahead of the 2017/18 season.
The 23-year-old recently earned a recall to Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions squad following his failure to make the side on the previous two attempts. He could be available for a bargain sum of just £10m when the transfer window reopens in July.
