Chelsea and Manchester United snubbed as starlet is set to stay

Everton are ready to offer Ross Barkley a large pay-rise and contract extension, as the 20-year-old wants to commit his future to the club.

Barkley, 20, has been fantastic for Everton this season and has well and truly broken through in the Premier League, so much so that he’s being tipped for a World Cup place in the summer.

The midfielder is set to follow Leighton Baines in signing a new deal imminently, which would see his current £15,000-per-week wages significantly raised as Everton try and keep him away from potential buyers in the summer.

Negotiations with Barkley have been ongoing since the tail-end of 2013 but now seem to have taken a step in the right direction with the local boy set to extend his current deal.

His contract at the moment runs out in two years, so Everton are keen to extend that as soon as possible.

The new contract and increase in wages are a reward for his constant improvement and how valuable he has been to his team this season.

Barkley has scored three goals and created 21 chances in the Premier League so far, but is yet to register an assist. His performances through December were enough for him to win Squawka’s Player of the Month.

Only Eden Hazard (81) has completed more take-ons than Barkley (58) in the league this season.