GOOD NEWS :Arsenal leading race to sign top 23-year-old midfielder – report

Arsenal are leading the race to sign Ross Barkley from Everton this summer, according to reports in the British media.

The Daily Express is reporting that the north London club are now the bookies’ favourites to land the 23-year-old England international this summer.

However, it is also claimed that Arsenal – like their north London rivals Tottenham – are waiting for Everton to drop their demands of £50m for a player who would be able to leave the club on a free transfer next summer.

The same story says that Barkley will be seeking wages of £150,000 a week, which would rule Tottenham out of the running but could fit into Arsenal’s budget.

Arsenal have so far only made two new signings this summer, after tying up deals for left-back Sead Kolasinac and striker Alexandre Lacazette.

The Gunners are set to have a season without Champions League football next term after they finished fifth in the Premier League table in the 2016-17 campaign.

The north London side did, however, end the campaign on a high by beating Chelsea in the FA Cup final back in May.