Ozil to stay as Arsenal battle Spurs for Barkley and Mahrez

Arsenal are ready to rival Tottenham for the signature of Ross Barkley, reports the Evening Standard, with the paper claiming that the Gunners are monitoring his situation ahead of his expected departure from Everton next month.

Although the 23-year-old is enjoying the attention from Spurs, with Harry Kane having told him about the coaching prowess of Mauricio Pochettino, it's unclear if Tottenham have the financial muscle to win an arm wrestle with Arsenal.

Having forked out a fair sum to renovate White Hart Lane, Spurs are a bit short of cash and according to the Standard "Everton have placed a £50m valuation on Barkley".

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The paper says that that figure could drop as the transfer window deadline approaches, but Arsenal could decide to table a bid in the coming weeks and hijack Tottenham's plan to land Barkley.

Standard Sport "understands" that Arsenal are keen on bringing the England international to the Emirates with Arsene Wenger eager to find a replacement in the middle of the park for Jack Wilshere, who's expected to be moved on between now and the start of the season.

One player who seems to stay at the Emirates, however, is Mesut Ozil with The Sun reporting that the German midfielder is on the brink of accepting a new deal that will net him £280,000-a-week. Ozil had allegedly been demanding £350,000 a week as the price of his loyalty, but the Sun says that he is "ready to settle for terms that make him the club's top earner".

Meanwhile the Daily Star says that the two north London rivals are also set to square up over Leicester's Riyad Mahrez. Arsenal have pencilled in the Algerian winger as their Plan B in the event they fail to prise Thomas Lemar from Monaco but the Star says that Spurs have asked the Foxes "to be kept informed of Mahrez's situation" although the paper adds that neither club are prepared to meet Leicester's initial asking price of £50m for the 26-year-old.