Tottenham want to sign Ross Barkley from Everton as Mauricio Pochettino leads queue for England playmaker

Tottenham are at the front of the queue to sign Ross Barkley from Everton this summer.

Everton playmaker Barkley is back in the England squad this week after hitting brilliant form in the Premier League since the turn of the year.

Long-time admirers Tottenham have hardened their interest in the 23-year-old as he continues to prevaricate over his future at Goodison Park.

Ross Barkley has been targeted by Tottenham with the Everton man back in the England fold

Barkley could find himself playing at Spurs if Mauricio Pochettino's men get their way

Everton want Barkley to extend his contract as his current deal expires at the end of next season.

And although the Liverpudlian is open to staying at his boyhood club, he said in a recent interview with Sportsmail columnist Jamie Redknapp that his ambition was to play in the Champions League and win trophies.

Tottenham have tracked Barkley since he first broke into the Everton team but have in the past harboured slight doubts about his decision-making and the speed with which he uses the ball.

Manager Mauricio Pochettino has also been unsure whether Barkley could play in the same team as playmaker Dele Alli.

There were concerns about Barkley's ability to play with Dele Alli but Spurs are keen now

Barkley revealed his desire for the Champions League and trophies in a Sportsmail interview

But there is now a belief at White Hart Lane that Barkley has improved under the hard-line management of Ronald Koeman.

Everton boss Koeman suggested last week that if Barkley didn't extend his deal, the club would have to sell him this summer to preserve some portion of his value.

Koeman said: 'He needs to sign a new contract or you sell the player.'

The greatest team of managers EVER? From Zinedine Zidane to Antonio Conte... how an incredible 14 members of Juventus' 2001 squad became coaches

So near, yet so far once more. It was in May 2001 that Juventus' saw their chances of winning the Serie A title slip through their fingers. Roma, a team bestowed with individual brilliance on elderly legs had beaten Parma 3-1 on the last day of the season to claim the league for themselves. 12 months earlier, they'd done exactly the same thing to the downtrodden Old Lady.

For Roma's ageing stars and their team, it was their Supernova; a final expulsion of coruscating brilliance before an imploding, collapsing silence. Sixteen years on and they're still waiting to feel the Coppa Campioni d'Italia in their hands as memories of Batistuta, Montella and a smiling Cafu fade quietly into a dim far-off light.

Juventus, meanwhile, lost the battle but won the war. A total of 32 league titles now makes them the most successful and glamorous of all the Seven Sisters. But in that respect, the class of 2001 were not part of their club's history.

Instead they have a legacy of their own. An incredible 14 of the 27 members of that particular squad have made their way into management or coaching. Among them are those who've reached the top of the game and won some of the biggest trophies on offer, while others have made careers in the Beautiful Game's backwaters. Sportsmail takes a look at this remarkable team.  

The full Juventus squad from 2000-01 included no less than 14 managers or coaches, such as: 1) Alessio Tacchinardi, 2) Zinedine Zidane, 3) Antonio Conte, 4) Igor Tudor, 5) Filippo Inzaghi, 6) Gianluca Zambrotta, 7) Edgar Davids, 8) Paolo Montero, 9) Ciro Ferrara, 10) Gianluca Pessotto, 11) Michelangelo Rampulla, 12) Marco Zanchi, 13) Athirson, 14) Juan Esnaider

1 - Alessio Tacchinardi

The former midfielder spent an incredible 13 years with Juventus (his name is inscribed in the club's new stadium alongside 49 other legends) before ending his career with Brescia in 2008. 

Sadly, he's not been able to translate his longevity off the pitch into success on the touchline. 

He has had two spells with Pergolettese, who currently ply their trade in Serie D, but left his role last year.

Tacchinardi (left) hasn't been able to live up to his reputation on the pitch just yet

2 - Zinedine Zidane

A name you may have heard of. The Frenchman ended one great career and appears to have started another straight away. 

He is now, of course, manager of Real Madrid (having started out with their Castilla side) whom he guided to the Champions League in 2016 with a win in the final over rivals Atletico Madrid.

The former midfielder came agonisingly close to making history when his Madrid side won a record-equalling 16 games on the bounce earlier this season, but were unable to set a new mark after a draw with Villarreal. 

Still, they're heavy favourites to win La Liga this season, which would be their first league success since 2012.  

Zidane is now in charge of Real Madrid and is closing in on the Spanish league title

3 - Antonio Conte

Conte has made a major mark in his first season in the Premier League, taking Chelsea to the brink of the title. 

The Blues are 10 points clear at the top with 10 games remaining and they could still set a new record total for most points in a season. Not bad given the knives were out for Conte after a less than stellar start to the season. 

Before taking over at Stamford Bridge he guided Juventus to three straight Serie A titles as well as two Supercoppa's. He also helped Bari to win Serie B in 2009 and took Italy to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. 

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Conte had plenty of success as a manager and is enjoying the same on the sideline

4 - Igor Tudor

Tudor forged a successful playing career with Juventus and stayed on after the failed 2001 title bid to lift the league trophy in 2002 and 2003. 

Now 38 and retired from the game, he's made his way into management and is in charge of one of Europe's biggest names; Galatasaray.

He signed a one-and-a-half year contract with the Turkish giants in February after a brief spell in charge of Hajduk Split and has helped the club to third place so far. 

Igor Tudor is now in charge of Galatasaray after taking over at Hajduk Split in Croatia

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Arsenal and Chelsea target Andrea Belotti now worth £130m, says Torino president after eight-minute hat-trick

Torino president Urbano Cairo believes Chelsea and Arsenal target Andrea Belotti is now worth £130million.

The striker scored a hat-trick in the space of eight minutes - the fourth-fastest in Serie A history - as Torino beat Palermo 3-1 on Sunday, taking his tally to 22 goals in 24 league games.

Belotti has a release clause of £86m and his scoring form has attracted interest from the Premier League giants - but they might now have to pay a little more.

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Andrea Belotti with the match ball after his hat-trick in Torino's 3-1 win over Palermo on Sunday

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The hotshot striker has attracted interest from Premier League giants Arsenal and Chelsea

Cairo told Sky Sport Italia: 'We set Belotti's clause and it's true that we would be forced to sell him abroad for that sum if he agreed to the move.

'However, in Italy I still have the right to refuse all offers, or the player could decide not to leave even if there are offers above 100m euros (£86m).

'I don't think we can raise the clause now, as we only just signed the contract. Of course, if I was negotiating it today, it should be 150m euros (£130m).

'The idea of the clause came to me after he scored against Roma in our home game. At 100m euros you sell players like Paul Pogba, Gonzalo Higuain and Gareth Bale.

Chelsea ready to pounce if Everton fail to convince striker Romelu Lukaku to sign a new contract at Goodison Park

Chelsea are leading the race to sign Romelu Lukaku, though Everton remain confident that the striker's announcement this week that he will not sign his new deal is not a final decision and can be reversed.

Chelsea technical director Michael Emenalo signed Lukaku for Chelsea in 2011 before the player was moved on when Jose Mourinho came back to the club, joining Everton for £28million.

And the Chelsea board is keen to support Antonio Conte next season, with the potential £60m signing of their former player, now 23, seen as a major building block, given that the future of current centre forward Diego Costa remains uncertain. 

Everton will look to convince Romelu Lukaku that staying with the club is the right decision

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has earmarked the return of Lukaku as a key to the future

Though Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain would also be interested, Chelsea are understood to have the best chance of persuading him to join.

Lukaku surprised Everton this week by announcing he wouldn't be signing a new deal, though his current contract doesn't run out until 2019. 

It is understood that talks remain ongoing and Everton still believe that he could sign an extension to his deal.

Barcelona 'target summer swoops' for Liverpool star Philippe Coutinho or PSG midfielder Marco Verratti

Barcelona are intensifying attempts to bolster their squad this summer by targeting moves for Philippe Coutinho and Marco Verratti.

With coach Luis Enrique leaving at the end of the season after three years, the Catalan giants could be set for a summer overhaul.

And according to reports in the Spanish press, they have already set their sets on two of the brightest talents in European football.

Mundo Deportivo report that Barcelona want Marco Verratti and Philippe Coutinho

Liverpool star Coutinho has long been a reported target for the Spanish giants

mundo Deportivo believe that Barca will sign one of the two 24-year-olds this summer.

Liverpool star Coutinho has been continuously linked with a move to the Spanish champions, but his club form has dipped in recent months since returning from an ankle injury in January.

Italian international Verratti has made no secret of his admiration for Barcelona in the past.

He told Spanish paper AS last month: 'Even though I am currently in a good project and I feel at home, any player would play for Barcelona.

'They are still the best team in the world. They have the three best players in attack, and [Andres] Iniesta too. Iniesta, [Lionel] Messi and Neymar create a move in a second.'

PSG midfielder Verratti could be part of a summer overhaul at Barcelona

The Brazilian Coutinho has struggled for form since returning from injury in January

 

Monaco defender Djibril Sidibe rejected Arsenal and can now join one of Europe's 'top clubs', says club vice- president Vadim Vasilyev

The Monaco vice-president Vadim Vasilyev made a thinly-veiled swipe at Arsenal in saying Djibril Sidibe can join a 'top club' after turning down Arsenal. 

Sidibe, promising 24-year-old defender, is highly regarded across Europe and rejected an approach from the Gunners last summer. 

He has gone on to star for the principality and earned a call up to the French national side. 

Djibril Sidibe turned down a move to Arsenal last summer to remain with Monaco 

Monaco vice president Vadim Vasilyev says Sidibe can now move to a top club 

Vasilyev believes his form justifies the decision to turn down Arsene Wenger's approach and implied Arsenal are not one of Europe's heavy-hitters. 

He told RMC: 'Djibril Sidibe preferred Monaco to Arsenal, now he is in the French national team, and he can join the top European clubs. He deserves it.'

Watford set for talks with Everton over permanent £8m deal for Tom Cleverley

Watford will hold talks with Everton during the international break over a permanent deal for Tom Cleverley.

The midfielder is due to trigger an £8million transfer to Watford should he play against Sunderland on April 1 after featuring in nine games.

However, the Vicarage Road club want to confirm his signature regardless of whether he hits the trigger figure to give the squad a lift after a recent dip in results.

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Tom Cleverley started another game for Watford against Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon

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Cleverley could sign a permanent deal with the Hornets after a successful loan spell

The 27-year-old joined on loan from Everton in January and has been a regular under Walter Mazzarri while proving a popular figure with his team-mates.

He played 80 minutes for the Hornets on Saturday against Crystal Palace, before being replaced by Isaac Success with the team trailing 1-0.

Swansea City midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson will cost Everton £35m if they attempt summer bid

Swansea City will demand £35million for midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson should Everton revive their interest this summer.

Ronald Koeman is keen to add more goals from midfield and rates Iceland international Sigurdsson highly.

Everton made enquiries earlier this season but were told Sigurdsson was not for sale as Swansea battle to preserve their Premier League status.

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Swansea City will demand £35m for midfielder Gylfi Sigurdsson should Everton make a bid

Paul Clement's side are just three points above the relegation zone and face a crucial game with Middlesbrough on April 2.

Sigurdsson has scored nine goals this season and is pivotal to their survival prospects and plans going forward.

Relegation could weaken Swansea's bargaining hand but they will still demand a high fee.

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Ronald Koeman is keen to add more goals and rates Iceland international Sigurdsson highly

Everton though are keen to test their resolve while West Ham United are also admirers but may not match Swansea's valuation.

West Ham, meanwhile, have been dealt a blow by another injury to midfielder Pedro Obiang who has been ruled out for the season after damaging ankle ligaments against Leicester City at the weekend.

Slaven Bilic is also facing up to losing Michail Antonio for three weeks with his hamstring injury and defender Winston Reid for around four weeks with a groin injury.

Ronald Koeman warns Ross Barkley to sign new Everton deal or the club may be forced to sell him this summer

Everton's final push for Europa League qualification will start on Saturday with the future of Ross Barkley in serious doubt after Ronald Koeman fired a warning shot in his direction.

Koeman was already furious at Romelu Lukaku after the striker this week revealed he will not sign a new contract worth in excess of £130,000.

Lukaku claimed his ambitions are not matched by Everton as he hunts for silverware and the club will discuss suitable punishment for the 23-year-old over the international break.

Ross Barkley's deal with Goodison Park outfit Everton expires at the end of next season

Everton manager Koeman on Thursday made it clear to Barkley that he must pen terms on a longer deal or risk being sold this summer.

Barkley's current contract runs out next year and Everton do not appear ready to allow their academy graduate to enter the final season without a resolution one way or another.

'Ross is a boy from Everton and what we need to show him are reasons to stay,' Koeman said. 'Normally you make decisions at the end of the season, and you need to sign a new contract or you sell the player.

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Koeman will be hoping Barkley impresses again when Everton play Hull on Saturday afternoon 

'I spoke to Ross about a new contract and it is up to the board to get that contract over the line.

'At Southampton we had Nathaniel Clyne. He didn't sign a new contract and then we sold him in the summer.

'It is football. You need to make a decision for the club, so the club knows what will happen next year.'

Koeman's comments suggest Barkley is more likely to depart Goodison Park than Lukaku if a compromise cannot be found with either.

Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku has recently said that he wants to seek a new challenge

Lukaku told Everton he does not want to remain on Merseyside and suggested they were not inspiring enough in the transfer window.

'Of course I am not happy about that interview,' Koeman said. 'If Everton weren't an ambitious club I would not be manager.

'But I am not afraid about his situation because he has more than two years on his contract.'

Lukaku will start against Hull on Saturday after talks with the Dutchman, while Manchester United — who had earmarked Harry Kane as Zlatan Ibrahimovic's eventual successor — are likely to have followed the latest developments with interest.

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The Belgium international is expected to start against Hull in the Premier League on Saturday

Everton slapped a £65million price tag on Lukaku last summer and could demand more given that their man is the Premier League's joint top scorer with Kane on 19 goals this season.

Koeman, however, admitted they are not currently in a position to fend off interest from those with added financial clout.

'Normally you don't sell your best player to those clubs, but we are not at that level,' he said.

'The people in the club are really strong. If we go in that direction it's the final decision for the board of the club.'

Leicester 2-0 Sevilla (agg 3-2): Wes Morgan and Marc Albrighton put Foxes in Champions League dreamland as Kasper Schmeichel saves penalty

Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Borussia Dortmund, Leicester. As it stands, the quarter-finalists of the Champions League, 2016-17.

Drink it in. Roll it around on your tongue. Laugh. Smile. Marvel at its sheer audacity. But do not be amazed, or shocked. This Leicester team are capable of quite incredible feats; when they want to be.

And now they do. Previously, this season, it seemed they didn't. Who knows why? Yet here were a Leicester team back to their lunatic best, playing for a new manager in a way they no longer did for the old one, and taking their place among a European elite that would once have sneered at their very presence. 

Leicester captain Wes Morgan roars in celebration after giving his side the advantage on the night and in the tie

Morgan slides on his knees in front of the home fans after his big goal that changed the direction of the Champions League tie

Marc Albrighton is mobbed by his Leicester team-mates after doubling their lead and putting them ahead on aggregate

Sevilla star Samir Nasri was sent off for a second bookable offence after clashing with Leicester striker Jamie Vardy

Kasper Schmeichel made a vital penalty save from Steven N'Zonzi to prevent the game from going to extra time

Leicesters player celebrate in a bundle on the King Power turf after a memorable Champions League last-16 victory 

Christian Fuchs holds his arms aloft after the Foxes' progress into the Champions League quarter-final was secured

Shinji Okazaki had a shot blocked, it travelled out to Riyad Mahrez, who crossed urgently. Adil Rami half-cleared, the ball fell to Marc Albrighton and he brought it under control and capitalised on Sevilla's sluggishness to finish smartly past goalkeeper Sergio Rico.

Sevilla fought desperately to get back in the game but were sabotaged from within and resisted without. Samir Nasri had already been booked when he clashed with Jamie Vardy. The pair ducked their heads towards each other, Vardy the better actor, as ever. Referee Daniele Orsato rightly showed a yellow to each player, but it was enough to see the last of Nasri.

He left reluctantly, making several attempts to return to Vardy and arrange a rendezvous in the tunnel. Few would make him favourite in that match, either. 

Paris Saint-Germain boss Unai Emery's job is safe despite Champions League capitulation at Barcelona, claims club president: 'He has my full support'

Paris Saint-Germain 'fully support' manager Unai Emery despite Wednesday's capitulation against Barcelona, the club's president has revealed.

Barcelona beat PSG 6-1 at the Nou Camp in midweek as Emery's side threw away a four-goal lead from the first leg and suffered their earliest Champions League exit since 2012.

It was also the first time in 213 European ties that a team had been knocked out of the competition having won the first leg 4-0 - a run stretching back to 1955. 

Unai Emery's side became the first team since 1955 to throw away a 4-0 first-leg lead in Europe

Sergi Roberto completed a historic comeback for Barcelona at the Nou Camp on Wednesday

Barcelona's epic comeback win over Paris Saint Germain should be replayed claims petition which has gathered over 100,000 signatures

An online petition calling for Barcelona's 6-1 win over Paris Saint Germain in the Champions League to be replayed has gained over 100,000 signatures.

The victory on Wednesday at the Nou Camp carried Barcelona through to the quarter-finals 6-5 on aggregate, with Sergi Roberto scoring the clinching goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time.

Real Madrid supporter Luis Melendo Olmedo began the petition on Friday, citing a string of what he felt were mistakes by referee Deniz Aytekin, and by Sunday afternoon the number of backers for his campaign had reached six figures.

A petition calling for Barcelona's win over PSG to be replayed has over 100,000 signatures

Sergi Roberto scored a late winner as Barca overturned a 4-0 deficit to win 6-5 on aggregate

The petition, started by a Real Madrid fan, cites alleged mistakes by referee Deniz Aytekin

HOW BARCA 6-1 PSG PLAYED OUT 

First leg -  PSG 4-0 Barcelona

Second leg -

3 mins: Barcelona 1-0 PSG (Agg: 1-4)

40 mins: Barcelona 2-0 PSG (Agg: 2-4)

50 mins: Barcelona 3-0 PSG (Agg: 3-4)

62 mins: Barcelona 3-1 PSG (Agg: 3-5)

88 mins: Barcelona 4-1 PSG (Agg: 4-5)

90 mins: Barcelona 5-1 PSG (Agg: 5-5)

95 mins: Barcelona 6-1 PSG (Agg: 6-5)

Bayern Munich keen on Real Madrid forward James Rodriguez as Carlo Ancelotti looks for a reunion

Bayern Munich are keen on Real Madrid forward James Rodriguez as the Colombian continues to struggle to get into Zinedine Zidane's team.

The story makes the front page of Spanish sports newspaper Marca, who claim Bayern manager Carlo Ancelotti wants the former Monaco man for his team.

Ancelotti brought James to the Bernabeu after he impressed for Colombia at the 2014 World Cup and he enjoyed a strong first year at the club, but has spent much of this campaign on the bench.

Bayern Munich are keen on Real Madrid forward James Rodriguez, according to Marca

Bayern manager Carlo Ancelotti brought James to the Bernabeu after the 2014 World Cup

Marca also claim Manchester United and Juventus are keen on James, and that the player will make a decision on his future in the summer.

Ivan Rakitic meanwhile is on the front page of Mundo Deportivo, after agreeing a contract extension at Barcelona until 2021.

They report the Croatian midfielder, who starred in the Champions League comeback against PSG, describing the deal as 'the best possible gift' and posing on the cover with the Eiffel Tower in the palm of his hand, in reference to the sensational win over the Paris club.

Mundo Deportivo have further news on Barcelona contracts, claiming Lionel Messi will be neXt to put pen-to-paper on a long-awaited deal.

They also say deals are imminent for goalkeeper Marc Andre ter Stegen and playmaker Andres Iniesta.

West Ham show interest in Pablo Zabaleta as Manchester City defender weighs up his future at the Etihad

West Ham United are among the clubs interested in signing Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta if he leaves the Etihad Stadium this summer.

Hammers boss Slaven Bilic has been alerted to the fact that 32-year-old Zabaleta is currently weighing up his future with his current City deal up at the end of the season.

Pep Guardiola has yet to decide whether the Argentine right-back will get a new contract and the player has also stated he'll make a decision based on his own long-term interests.

West Ham are keen on signing Pablo Zabaleta if he ends up leaving Manchester City

Hammers boss Slaven Bilic is a keen admirer of the experienced Argentine full back

Right-back has been a problem for West Ham this season with youngster Sam Byram and ex-Liverpool and Real Madrid defender Alvaro Arbeloa failing to make the position their own.

Zabaleta has been lightly-used by Guardiola this season despite being fit for the whole campaign and Bilic feels his experience and knowhow would help the younger West Ham players in his squad including his compatriot Manuel Lanzini.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp free to spend big this summer as he insists: 'I will splash cash to win title again'

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has assured the club's supporters that he doesn't have to balance the books in the next transfer window and that he plans to strengthen at Anfield.

Klopp's first summer window was noteworthy because Liverpool were one of the few clubs to turn in a transfer profit.

The signings of six players, including Sadio Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum, were more than offset by fees for 10 departures such as Christian Benteke and Joe Allen.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp will have money to spend to strengthen the squad

Saido Mane and Georginio Wijnaldum were both signed for big fees in the summer of 2016

In the circumstances, Liverpool have done well to continue chasing a top-four place and go into Sunday's home game against Burnley ahead of Manchester United, who paid a world-record £89million for Paul Pogba at the same time.

Liverpool's American owners had spent heavily during Brendan Rodgers' time and there were fears after last summer that Klopp was being restricted. Certainly the squad's lack of strength in depth was underlined when injuries to Jordan Henderson, Dejan Lovren and Philippe Coutinho saw their form tail off at the start of 2017.

Norwich sack Alex Neil as the club put Alan Pardew and Simon Grayson in the frame for a summer appointment

Norwich's five-game winless run has seen the club call time on Alex Neil's tenure at the club.

Alan Irvine will take charge on Saturday as Blackburn travel to Carrow Road, the first team coach looks set to stay in charge until the season with the club to look for a permanent manager in the summer. Sportsmail understands that Alan Pardew and Simon Grayson are two names interesting the Canaries.

The side relegated from the Premier League last season are nine points and two spots outside of the play-offs and an insurmountable 21 points off the automatic places.

A statement on the Norwich website said: 'Norwich City can confirm manager Alex Neil's contract has been terminated with immediate effect. 

Norwich's five-game winless run has seen the club call time on Alex Neil's tenure at the club

The side relegated from the Premier League last season are nine points outside of the play-offs

'The Board has taken the tough but unanimous decision, believing it is in the best interests of the Club for a new manager to be in place through a crucial summer transfer window and into next season. 

'The Directors would like to place on record their sincere gratitude to Alex for all of his hard work and for the fantastic achievement of guiding us to the Premier League in 2015, via a memorable play-off final success against Middlesbrough at Wembley.