Ross Barkley has signalled the end of his Everton career by informing Ronald Koeman he will not sign a new contract and “is looking for a new challenge”. The Everton manager has expected Barkley to leave his boyhood club since the end of last season when the midfielder failed to respond to an ultimatum to sign an extended deal. Koeman went further yesterday when he confirmed there was no way back for the 23-year-old at Everton and he fully expects the England international to be sold.
Koeman added, however, that there are no offers on the table for Barkley, who has been strongly linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, albeit with Spurs balking at Everton’s £50mn asking price for a player who is out of contract next summer.
“He had his groin surgery last week and it will take three or four weeks to be back. His personal situation is not so difficult,” the Everton manager said. “We made a really good offer to him to sign a new contract, he declined that contract and told me that he is looking for a new challenge. Ok, he is not in Everton’s future any more. It is his decision. I need to respect that and see what happens. What I heard from the board at the moment is that there is no offer on the table for Ross.”
Koeman clarified that he was aware of Barkley’s intentions “from the end of last season” and when asked if the midfielder would definitely be sold, replied: “Yes.”
Barkley is recovering from groin surgery at present and will be allowed to train with the first team once he is fully fit. His future is unlikely to be resolved until late in the transfer window with Everton expecting interest from several clubs.
Koeman added: “It is really clear. I am looking to other players, that is my priority and not Ross, with all respect because it is his decision. Everybody knows what the situation is. He told me at the end of last season. He has one more year on his contract and we work with respectful people. And after his surgery, if he is back for training, he will be part of the first team sessions. There have been no change (in his attitude). he has been the same.”
Everton have embarked on an extensive and expensive recruitment drive this summer but it is not over, with Gylfi Sigurdsson still a target despite Swansea City’s insistence on £50mn for the Iceland international. Koeman, whose team play MFK Ruzomberok in the Europa League third round qualifying first leg on Thursday, confirmed: “We have lost (Ramiro) Funes Mori to a knee injury and I am looking to replace him. We lost Romelu Lukaku and brought in Sandro Ramirez but we are trying to sign another striker and maybe one more.”