Premier League champions Chelsea have stepped up their pursuit of England international of Nigerian parentage Ross Barkley.

The Sun is reporting that manager Antonio Conte is planning a £50million double swoop for England stars Ross Barkley and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Barkley is in the final twelve months of his contract with Everton and has refused to sign a new deal because he wants a fresh challenge.

Premier League rules stipulate that clubs must have at least eight homegrown players in their squad, and Chelsea are pushing to sign him because he came through the ranks at Everton.

Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Arsenal have also been linked with the signature of Ross Barkley, who has been on the books of Everton since the age of eleven.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel

Photo Credit : Twitter.com/RBarkley