Arsenal join Tottenham in pursuit of England international

North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur could be set to fight it out for the services of Everton midfielder Ross Barkley in the summer.

The England international has been in a contract standoff with the Toffees for a while, and manager Ronald Koeman has issued an ultimatum that he will be sold unless he agrees to a new deal.

According to The Mail, the 23-year-old could be nearing a potential exit from Goodison Park with his existing deal due to expire in a year's time.

Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with a potential move for Barkley for the past few weeks, but they could now face competition from arch-rivals Arsenal, who are planning to go on a major spending spree in the summer.

Barkley has managed to have a good season with four goals and eight assists in the top flight, and this appears to have turned his head towards a bigger challenge, which could improve his chances with the national team.

The attacker has failed to earn a single minute of competitive action in the last seven games for the Three Lions despite being called up to the squad.