Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a blow in their pursuit of England star of Nigerian heritage Ross Barkley, with the midfielder set to spend one month on the sidelines due to injury.

The official website of Everton has reported that Barkley is likely to miss the start of the season after groin surgery, and will return to play in approximately four weeks.

This same injury ruled him out of the Toffees pre-season trips to Tanzania and the Netherlands.

Barkley's future with Everton remains covered in mist after he refused to extend his contract beyond June 30, 2018.

The 23-year-old has played nonstop at the Goodison Park outfit for the past twelve years.

Igho Kingsley

Twitter.com/RBarkley