Could Chelsea’s greater chances of Champions League football see them beat Tottenham to Everton midfielder Ross Barkley?
Ross Barkley of Everton and Hector Bellerin of Arsenal clash during the Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium.
Chelsea are getting ready to make a fresh bid for Ross Barkley in January, reports the London Evening Standard, after a £35m deal for the Everton midfielder fell through in August.
The Blues want to add at least two new players to their squad in the upcoming transfer window and Barkley and Monaco’s Thomas Lemar currently look like their most likely acquisitions.
Monaco’s Thomas Lemar celebrates after scoring a goal during the Ligue 1 match against Saint-Etienne.
That could come as a blow to Tottenham Hotspur, who according to the Gambling Times still consider the 24-year-old as their number one target as Mauricio Pochettino looks to rejuvenate his squad.
It is thought the Toffees want around £20m for Barkley – who is out of contract next summer – and Spurs remain his preferred destination; but could their recent drop in form affect their chances?
Mauricio Pochettino, manager of Tottenham Hotspur, reacts during the Premier League match against Manchester City.
Tottenham lost 4-1 to Manchester City in their last outing, their fifth Premier League defeat of the season, to leave them in seventh place and three points from the Champions League qualification places.
With European football for next campaign far from a guarantee currently, could Barkley start to lean towards a switch to Stamford Bridge as the West Londoners are third and four points ahead of fourth-placed Liverpool?
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