Everton boss Ronald Koeman has stated there is no doubt over the fact that Ross Barkley will leave Everton this Summer after revealing will not be included in the Merseysider’s plans for next season.
The Ross Barkley transfer saga has largely been a waiting game for us fans as well as those involved, given that Spurs Chairman Daniel Levy does not want to offer the £50 million Everton are demanding for the Englishman.
Though Tottenham are still favourites to land the 23 year old in the current window, very little known progress has been made in regards to a deal.
Yesterday, however, Everton boss Ronald Koeman revealed that the deal will eventually go through, when explaining in no uncertain terms that Ross Barkley will leave Goodison Park this Summer. As reported by The Telegraph, Koeman was quoted as saying:
“His personal situation is not so difficult. 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. ”
“So, 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.”
Barkley recently entered the last year of his contract, but when Everton offered to extend, Barkley turned them down, in the hopes of moving to a new club.
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We know that the play-maker has been somewhat swayed by Tottenham players such as Dele Alli, Eric Dier and Harry Kane, that while on England duty, Barkley has been on the receiving end of glittering reviews of Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino, who rather specialises in nurturing young talent.
However, Tottenham are currently unwilling to match Everton’s £50 million evaluation of the midfielder, considering he has less than a year left on his contract.
In spite of this, when asked if Barkley is definitely leaving, Koeman confirmed he is planning for life without the midfielder next season. He said:
“Yes, 100 per cent. I knew this already from the end of last season.”
“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. That is enough. I don’t talk any more about this situation, we will see what happens. He told me at the end of last season.”
Lately, Barkley has been spending his time recovering from a groin strain which kept him out of Everton’s recent trip to Tanzania.
As an injury update, Koeman also went on to claim that despite Barkley’s desire to leave, he won’t be frozen out of first-team training sessions. He said:
“He had his groin surgery last week and it will take three or four weeks to be back.”
“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.”
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