Chelsea ready to give Tottenham a run for their money over Ross Barkley as wantaway Everton ace continues injury rehab
England midfielder could be out for three more months but the Blues still rate him as better value than other potential targets
CHELSEA are prepared to fight Tottenham for Everton crock Ross Barkley.
Blues boss Antonio Conte believes the England midfielder would be better value than other options, according to The Telegraph.
Spurs have been long-time frontrunners in the race for the playmaker, who could be out for three months after tearing his hamstring.
Barkley would join a batch of Three Lions at the North Londoners and typify the flair and drive that boss Mauricio Pochettino likes to instil in his sides.
Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy, known for his cautious approach, is thought willing to pay the Toffees an initial £20million, with up to £8m in add-on clauses.
But Chelsea are keen to sign an English influence in midfield, rather than spend big again on a foreign import.
Conte is still mulling over Leicester City's Danny Drinkwater.
But the 27-year-old, who has three England caps, is seen as a functional option - whereas a revitalised Barkley would be a real bargain.
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First, though, the long-serving Everton star, 23, must shake off his latest injury.
The Toffees' £50m summer valuation of Barkley has been slowly slipping.
And Barkley's new injury means they might even have to settle for less than £30m.
He himself might regard Spurs as the safer option, given boss Mauricio Pochettino's close-knit squad.
But if Conte makes Barkley a priority target then the Blues might have the stronger clout financially.
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