Arsenal are prepared to discuss a summer move for midfielder Ross Barkley, who is entering the final 12 months of his Everton contract.
The England international is yet to open up talks over a possible extension at Goodison, and according to The Mirror, he could be the perfect player to add more creativity to the Gunners’ midfield.
Toffees boss Ronald Koeman has earlier admitted that Barkley could be sold if he fails to finalize a new contract, and his availability has also captured the attention of both Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
Barkley had initially struggled to make himself a regular under the Dutch head coach and found himself warming the substitutes’ bench on occasions. However, since the festive period, he has found his old self, and this, in turn, has improved the Toffees’ showing in the second half of the campaign.
Koeman has deployed Barkley on the right flank in recent months, and his ability to drift inside and provide the killer pass to Romelu Lukaku has been a pleasure to watch for the club’s faithful.
His upturn in form has also impressed ‘The Three Lions’ boss Gareth Southgate, who has picked him for the internationals against Germany and Lithuania, having been left out of previous squads.
Barkley, who is approaching the final year of his contract, is said to be available for a bargain price of around £10m, and the Gunners could make their move for the talented playmaker as they seek to add something different in the final third.
Meanwhile, manager Arsene Wenger appears to have made the decision to stay put at the Emirates next season even if the club fail to finish in the top-four for the first time under his guidance.
Arsenal are currently placed sixth in the league standings, six points adrift of fourth-placed Liverpool with two games in hand.
