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Chelsea emerge as serious contenders to take Ross Barkley from Everton

Everton are set to sell their midfielder this summer

Ronald Koeman Barkley wants a new challenge

Chelsea have emerged as serious contenders to sign Ross Barkley from Everton this summer.

The Stamford Bridge side are understood to want to add more home-grown players to their squad for next season and Barkley is high on their list of targets.

Tottenham Hotspur have long been seen as favourites to sign the 23-year-old but they now face competition from across London in the shape of the Premier League champions.

Everton slapped a £50m asking price on Barkley this summer, despite him only having 12 months left on his Goodison contract, and it is understood the Blues and Spurs are apart in their valuation of the England international.

EFC fans react to the news Ross Barkley set to leave Everton
 

Unconfirmed reports say that Spurs are looking to strike a deal worth around £20m for Barkley.

But Mauricio Pochettino's side now face an even tougher fight to land the Everton Academy product this summer with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte keen on adding Barkley to his midfield options, following the sale of Nemanja Matic to Manchester United this week.

Everton boss Ronald Koeman last week confirmed that Barkley had told him he wanted to leave Goodison for a “new challenge” and that he '100%' expected him to leave before the close of the transfer window.

Chelsea have also been linked with Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Danny Drinkwater this week.