Tottenham round-up: Favourites to sign Everton’s Ross Barkley; showdown for Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha; competition for Harry Maguire

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The Daily Mail have alleged over the past day that Tottenham will have to battle it out with fierce North London rivals Arsenal to sign Everton and England midfielder Ross Barkley this summer.

The report claims that Mauricio Pochettino’s side are still front-runners in the race for the 23-year-old should he reject a contract extension, but they may have to face growing interest from the Gunners.

Barkley – left out of the starting line-up for the Toffees’ defeat at Swansea on Saturday – has a year left on his current deal but has been at the centre of speculation about his future for most of the campaign.

It is reported that Ronald Koeman will be demanding a fee of around £35 million should Barkley decide to leave Goodison Park – a decision that would be due to his desire of playing Champions League football next season.

According to The Sun, the Gunners are also set to have a showdown with their rivals over Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha with Arsene Wenger keen to take him from Tottenham’s clutches.

Mauricio Pochettino has been a long-term admirer of the 24-year-old and is willing to match Palace’s £30 million estimation ahead of a move to White Hart Lane – but a move has now been jeopardised.

The report claims that the Eagles’ boss Sam Allardyce is interested in both Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Carl Jenkinson, and this could form part of a swap deal that sees Zaha head to the Emirates instead.

Zaha has been an integral part of Crystal Palace’s battle for survival in recent weeks, helping the London side to a run of six wins in seven games, and he scored in the victory over leaders Chelsea.

The Sun have also alleged that Tottenham are now in a race with newly-promoted side Newcastle to secure the signing of Hull City’s defender Harry Maguire.

Maguire has been a stand-out figure in a disappointing season for the Tigers that sees them facing an uphill battle for survival in the last two games, but Spurs must act fast to secure their target.

With Tottenham set for the Champions League next season and looking to challenge again for their first Premier League title, it is believed that Pochettino is looking to add some depth to his back four.

Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez is also desperate to bring in the 24-year-old, however, as Newcastle look to consolidate their back-line in their quest to stay in the Premier League next season.

If Hull City do in fact drop into the Championship it’s believed that the thought of European football next season – and remaining in England’s top flight – could be enough to tempt Maguire to North London.

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