West Ham to rival Tottenham for Everton midfielder Ross Barkley

Premier League outfit West Ham have seized the initiative in the chase for Everton midfielder Ross Barkley, according to The Daily Star Sunday.

The 23-year-old looks set to leave his boyhood club this summer after failing to agree an extension to his contract, which is currently due to expire at the end of next season.

And Toffees chief Ronald Koeman has made it clear throughout the last few months that the club will sell the England star if no deal is agreed, which makes a summer exit almost inevitable for the 21-goal Premier League ace.

And it appears that Slaven Bilic’s West Ham have jumped to the queue ahead of London rivals Tottenham in the race for Barkley, as they reportedly are willing to offer the wantaway midfielder £140,000-a-week to sign at the London Stadium, in keeping with his demands.

The Hammers laboured to an 11th place finish in the top-flight this term, a far cry away from the team that finished seventh last time out, but manager Bilic is already looking ahead to an improved 2017/18 campaign with the signing of Manchester City stalwart Pablo Zabaleta.

And 23-year-old Barkley could be another marquee signing through the door at the East London outfit, although with Tottenham and even Manchester United thought to be interested in the midfielder, it still remains to be seen where he’ll be playing his football come August.