Arsenal join Chelsea and Tottenham in pursuit of Everton midfielder Ross Barkley

Arsenal have joined London rivals Chelsea and Tottenham in pursuit of Everton and England midfielder Ross Barkley, according to The Mirror.

The 23-year-old has been in fine form for the Toffees over the last few months, netting once and laying on five assists in his last nine Premier League matches.

This pales in stark contrast to the first half of the campaign, where Barkley not only struggled to make telling contributions in the final third, but he even sometimes failed to make Ronald Koeman’s starting eleven, with the Dutchman challenging the England international to improve his form.

And he has done just that, and after receiving a call-up to Gareth Southgate’s England squad this week, his first since the European Championships, Barkley is clearly on the up, which could spell danger for Everton as they look to keep their star assets.

Barkley only has just over a season left on his current deal at Goodison Park, and his recent form has reportedly alerted Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal, who look set to battle Chelsea and North London rivals Tottenham for the 23-year-old’s signature.

The Gunners will be on the look-out for reinforcements this summer after once again seeing their Premier League title challenge come to nothing, and indeed saw their Champions League campaign come to a familiar end with a last 16 defeat last month.

Wenger’s future is once again up for debate after four defeats in their last five league games, and with the futures of star men Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Ozil still uncertain, the Gunners may need some quality additions in the summer to replace those talented individuals.

Barkley could be one of those additions.