Chelsea’s offer for Barkley was some way below Everton’s valuation

Chelsea have stepped up their pursuit of Everton’s Ross Barkley by lodging a £25million bid for the midfielder.

The offer is below Everton’s valuation which stands at £40 million, but Chelsea are ready to continue negotiations as they seek to outflank the England international’s long-term suitors Tottenham Hotspur.

Stamford Bridge officials spoke with their Everton counterparts at last Sunday’s Premier League game about Barkley and have followed up those conversations with a firm proposal. Barkley is recovering from surgery on a hamstring injury which will rule him out until November and mean he is unlikely to be match fit until nearer Christmas. He is in the final year of his contract having rejected an extension from his boyhood club.

Everton seem unlikely to persuade clubs