Tottenham Hotspur are presently in the driving seat to sign England international of Nigerian descent Ross Barkley, according to various reports in the English press.

The Telegraph says Spurs are preparing  a £20 million bid for the Everton midfielder, who could spend the next three months on the sidelines after picking up a hamstring injury in training.

Tottenham will pledge eight million pounds in incentives to sweeten the deal bringing Barkley to the English capital.

The Lilywhites will try to push through a deal before the transfer window closes in the next nine days, with high-level talks expected to begin this week.

Chelsea have been linked with a move for Barkley and the midfielder has been targeted by Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City this summer.

The 23-year-old will end his twelve-year association with Everton if he joins a new club before September 1.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : Twitter.com/RBarkley