Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City have all made known their interest in Everton's midfield sensation Ross Barkley.
He is seen by some as an even better prospect than another Goodison Park product, Wayne Rooney, and is set to top the £25.6m United paid for the then 18-year-old seven years ago.
Although Everton will fight to hang on to Barkley, who is not 18 until December, their dire financial situation has made them vulnerable to big offers. Barcelona and Real Madrid are also monitoring the situation.
One top representative said: 'I thought Stevie Gerrard was the best kid in his position that I've ever seen, but Barkley is as good. There's no doubt he is going to be a top player.'
Barkley's progress is all the more remarkable following his horrific triple leg fracture playing for England Under-19s in Belgium last year, which put him out for 10 months.
England coach Noel Blake remembers the incident, a collision with team-mate Andre Wisdom, vividly. 'I still don't feel comfortable thinking about it, as it was so upsetting,' he said.
'Thankfully, he has recovered and it shows his strength of character that he has got back so quickly.'
Second coming: Some rate Barkley a better prospect than Rooney
David Moyes has never been afraid to follow the old adage 'if they're good enough, they're old enough'.
But the Everton manager is determined to nurture Barkley's talents at the right pace.
'Evertonians have not got an awful lot to be excited about at the moment so Ross gives everybody something to look at and cling on to,' he said.
'But I will have to pick and choose him at the right times. It is not just because of his age but also because of his lack of football.'
Barkley's future could be a key factor when Moyes decides whether or not to accept a two-year extension to his own contract.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2041470/Chelsea-City-United-30m-battle-Ross-Barkley.html#ixzz1YuYTYddQ
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