Source: Daily_Mail
Andre Villas-Boas lines up multi-million pound bid for Everton's Ross Barkley
Chelsea target: Everton midfielder Ross Barkley
Chelsea will try to take advantage of Everton's financial difficulties with a £20million January bid for teenage midfielder Ross Barkley.
Barkley does not turn 18 until December but is already being touted as one of the hottest prospects in the Premier League.
The Blues made an informal approach in the summer and, according to the Daily Mirror, will up the stakes with the big-money bid when the transfer window reopens in the winter.
Barkley was discovered by scout Mick Doherty, who left Goodison Park for Stamford Bridge a few weeks ago.
Everton manager David Moyes, who has started Barkley three times this season, is desperate to keep the youngster but could do with the cash to reinvest in players.
Kids are alright: Andre Villas-Boas is determined to buy young players
Much has been made about the average age of Chelsea's squad and manager Andre Villas-Boas has addressed the issue by bringing in the likes of teenagers Oriol Romeu and Romelu Lukaka, while fellow new recruit Juan Mata is only 23.
Barkley is next on Villas-Boas' list and the Portuguese coach will weigh in with the huge offer knowing that Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has also been keeping an eye on the Merseyside-born player.
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