Rumour: Liverpool line up shock £38 million bid for Everton star Ross Barkley

Ross Barkley of Everton

Liverpool are set to enter the bidding war to sign Everton star Ross Barkley in the summer. Reports suggest that Liverpool is preparing a club transfer record bid of £38 million to bring the English international to Anfield in the summer.

The 20 year old Everton star seems to be highly admired by Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers. Liverpool are set to face a tough battle from Premier League rivals Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea to sign Ross Barkley.

Everton insist they are not willing to listen to offers from any club for their star and are hoping to tie down Barkley to a new long-term deal in the summer with a massive pay rise. The Toffees boss, Roberto Martinez recently said he would reject any bid but a huge offer may prove too tempting to turn down.

Ross Barkley is a Toffees fan and has been at the club for a long time and any move to their Merseyside rivals would definitely not be received well. It will require a lot of effort to force him to leave Goodison Park for any club as Everton are on the brink of entering the Champions League.

Any hopes of signing Barkley will be increased if Arsenal pip Everton to qualify for the Champions League. The last player to have made a move from Everton to Liverpool was Abel Xavier in 2002.