Arsenal to move for Everton star?

Arsenal will reportedly step up their interest in midfielder Ross Barkley, should Everton decide to cash in on his services in the summer.

The England international is approaching the final year of his contract at Goodison, and talks over an extension are yet to progress.

According to The Mirror, the Toffees could be tempted to sell Barkley this summer with manager Ronald Koeman admitting that the club will have no other choice if the player declines a fresh contract.

Barkley has been on the radar of Tottenham Hotspur in the past couple of months, but they could now face competition from north London rivals, who are still unsure of the future of Mesut Ozil.

Similar to Barkley, Ozil is approaching the final 12 months of his Gunners stay, and his demands for a £250,000-a-week plus contract is still beyond the imagination of the Gunners' hierarchy.

Arsenal are currently facing a massive task of finishing in the top-four following a run of four league defeats in five games. They are placed fifth in the league standings, five points adrift of Liverpool with one game in hand.