Ross Barkley figures prominently on a list of players being considered by Tottenham as they seek greater attacking support for Harry Kane.

Standard Sport understands Spurs have made a tentative enquiry about the Everton midfielder, who has struggled to gain the confidence of manager Ronald Koeman — notwithstanding an improved performance in last night’s 2-1 win over Arsenal.

Barkley, 23, is out of contract at the end of next season, after signing a four-year deal worth about £65,000 a week in 2014.

In order to persuade Everton even to think about selling Barkley, it is thought clubs would have to offer a minimum £35million. It would also be difficult to put together a deal in January — when sides are reluctant to discuss deals for important players — but Tottenham are known to have looked at the situation closely.

Barkley is one of the leading examples of the Everton youth system, having made his competitive debut in August 2011, aged 18. He has since made more than 100 appearances and was in the England squads for the 2014 World Cup and Euro 2016.

Yet it has not all been plain sailing for Barkley and Tottenham are exploring whether he could be tempted away from Merseyside.

Although Mauricio Pochettino has plenty of players who can make up the trio behind Kane in a 4-2-3-1 system, he still believes Spurs need a man who can carry the ball at pace and beat opponents.

During the summer, Tottenham added Moussa Sissoko — for a fee that could reach £30m — and Georges-Kevin Nkoudou to their attacking-midfield ranks. The first choice players for those positions are Dele Alli, Christian Eriksen, Heung-min Son and Erik Lamela.

'The Pochettino new contract pose' 15 show all 'The Pochettino new contract pose' 1/15 Hugo Lloris Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 2/15 Dele Alli Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 3/15 Eric Dier Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 4/15 Christian Eriksen Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 5/15 Danny Rose Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 6/15 Harry Winks Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 7/15 Harry Winks (again) Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 8/15 Harry Kane Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 9/15 Jan Vertonghen Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 10/15 Michel Vorm and goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 11/15 Tom Carroll Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 12/15 Kyle Walker Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 13/15 Cameron Carter-Vickers Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I 14/15 Kyle Walker-Peters Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I 15/15 Kyle Walker-Peters (again) Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 1/15 Hugo Lloris Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 2/15 Dele Alli Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 3/15 Eric Dier Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 4/15 Christian Eriksen Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 5/15 Danny Rose Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 6/15 Harry Winks Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 7/15 Harry Winks (again) Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 8/15 Harry Kane Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 9/15 Jan Vertonghen Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 10/15 Michel Vorm and goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 11/15 Tom Carroll Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 12/15 Kyle Walker Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images 13/15 Cameron Carter-Vickers Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I 14/15 Kyle Walker-Peters Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I 15/15 Kyle Walker-Peters (again) Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

Meanwhile, Tottenham are actively searching for a new recruitment chief as Paul Mitchell continues to work his 16-month notice period at the club.

Mitchell decided to quit last summer and is believed to have only a peripheral role in future transfers. Ahead of tonight’s clash with Hull, Pochettino discussed Tottenham’s prospects in the market.

“It is a difficult question,” he said. “All the clubs are working — not only in England. In Europe, they have big networks to find the talent around the world. It is a very complex thing and it is not easy.

“Then, when the top clubs have more power and can pay more money than you, it is not easy. You need to be creative, you need to find players who work well together but in the end, sometimes money can make the difference.”

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