Chelsea news: Tottenham to rival Blues for Everton ace Ross Barkley in January

Barkley, 23, opted against a move to Chelsea in the summer despite Everton accepting a £35million bid. 

The England international is yet to make an appearance for the Toffees this season due to currently being sidelined with a hamstring injury. 

But the player himself - who denied reports linking him with a deadline day move to Chelsea - admitted he will reassess his situation in January once he has recovered from his injury. 

And the Daily Telegraph claim Tottenham, who were also strongly linked with a move for Barkley, are ready to go in for him in the winter window.

Chelsea will apparently reignite their interest in Barkley, but Tottenham are ready to go head-to-head with the Premier League champions for his signature. 

The Daily Telegraph say Mauricio Pochettino wants to pair Barkley and Eric Dier together in the heart of his midfield. 

This move will also do England a huge favour and give Barkley the chance of making a late run into Gareth Southgate's World Cup squad.

Pochettino also apparently views Barkley as the perfect man to provide competition for Mousa Dembele in midfield, who is struggling with a foot injury. 

Dembele is concerned he will never regain full fitness following an operation in the summer and Barkley could replace him in the Spurs team.

Barkley's value is likely to drop from £35m to around £20m by January as he will only have six months remaining on his Everton contract. 

The midfielder was criticised by Everton boss Ronald Koeman, but still finished the season with five Premier League goals and eight assists. 

Up next for Merseyside outfit when they return from the international break is a clash with Brighton on October 15 (1:30pm).