Everton star must make decision on future by next week, says Koeman

Everton manager Ronald Koeman has revealed Ross Barkley must sign the club’s offer of a contract extension by the end of next week or be sold in the summer.

Barkley, 23, will only have 12 months remaining on his current deal at the end of the season and has been heavily linked with a move away from his boyhood club throughout the year.

Tottenham are reportedly interested in his services and Mauricio Pochettino’s side will know by the end of next week whether he will be available to buy in the summer.

“It is still one week. Time for him to decide,” ESPN quote Koeman as saying ahead of their match with Watford on Friday. “The board has been working a long time to sign Ross for him to stay for a longer period but it is up to the player.

“But we don’t wait till August. Next weekend we need an answer. If we go on holiday we need to know. Either he accepts the contract or we sell the player. But if you need so much time then you have doubts.

“I like to work with players who like to stay. We are already trying to get players in for next season in the front positions. It is up to the player and he needs to make a decision.”

It is clear that Koeman is running out of patience with Barkley and it increasingly looks like he will leave this summer. The England international has endured a turbulent season under the Everton manager and has often been dropped in big matches.

Barkley’s overall performances have improved since the turn of the year, which is highlighted by the fact only Christian Eriksen and Gylfi Sigurdsson (both 7) have registered more assists in 2017 than Barkley (6).

For more stats on Ross Barkley, click here to visit his WhoScored player page