Tottenham Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Ross Barkley and Serge Aurier

Ross Barkley has emerged as Tottenham Hotspur's "top transfer target," as the England international prepares to leave Everton.

Jack Wilson of the Daily Express reported Barkley is the player Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino wants most, meaning the midfielder could become the team's first new signing this summer. Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea are also said to be considering bids, but Spurs are the favourites to land the Liverpool-born talent.

Per Wilson, Barkley has under a year left on his deal with the Toffees and will definitely leave the club this summer after head coach Ronald Koeman recently confirmed the 23-year-old would depart. Everton have slapped a £50 million price tag on the player, but Barkley's sale is unlikely to achieve the inflated figure.

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According to Tom Doyle of the London Evening Standard, Koeman explained why he is selling Barkley:

"His personal situation is really not so difficult: we made a good offer to him to sign a new contract, he declined that contract and told me that he is looking for a new challenge. 

"It is not Everton future any more, it is his decision, I need to respect that and then we will see what happens but what I heard from the board is there is not really an offer on the table for Ross. My priority is not Ross, with respect, it is his decision. I look more to other players. I knew [this] at the end of the season."

Squawka Football highlighted Barkley's creative development over the past four seasons:

It was only recently Barkley was considered one of the most exciting English talents in the Premier League, and the player could still become one of the best in the country.

Barkley is no longer a budding star, but a move to a team like Spurs could be good for his confidence and productivity.

Tottenham promote flair, and Barkley could provide goals and assists from midfield, with Harry Kane ahead of him on the pitch.

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In other Spurs news, Serge Aurier of Paris Saint-Germain could be on his way to north London, as Pochettino considers replacements for Kyle Walker.

Per French newspaper Le Parisien (h/t Joe Short of the Daily Express), Aurier is ready to leave Paris after the arrival of Dani Alves. The defender is also attracting interest from Inter Milan, but there is space for him at Spurs to make a name for himself after Walker's departure.

The 24-year-old featured in 27 games in Ligue 1 and the UEFA Champions League combined last term, providing four assists, according to WhoScored.com.

Aurier's progressive play suggests he has many more assists to give in the correct team, and he would be a quality like-for-like replacement for Walker.

Questions have been raised about the Ivory Coast international's temperament in past, but on his day he is one of the best right-backs in Europe.

Pochettino clearly has faith in his squad, but Spurs should not begin the new campaign without purchasing new players. Every team in the league needs improving through the summer, but the north London club has stood still in the transfer window—arguably regressing because of Walker's sale to rivals Manchester City.

The rest of the top sides in England have made significant purchases, and Spurs are playing catch-up as time ebbs away.