Arsenal join Barkley battle

Arsenal are ready to battle with Spurs for the signing of Ross Barkley.

According to a report in the Daily Mail both London sides are set to bid for the Everton midfielder.

Barkley is out of contract at the end of next season with Ronald Koeman not prepared to allow the midfielder to see out his deal at Goodison Park.

The 23-year-old has come through the ranks at Everton but has so far resisted all efforts to get him to sign up on a new contract.

Spurs were linked with Barkley before Christmas but now face competition from Arsenal to sign up the midfielder.

Mesut Ozil, Jack Wilshere and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are in the same contract situation at Arsenal and have yet to commit suggesting that there will be a big turnover of players during the close.

With a World Cup season coming up it’s highly unlikely that Barkley will be prepared to sit it out on the sidelines at Everton.