The standoff over Ross Barkley’s new contract at Everton is not expected to be resolved before the end of the season, despite the ultimatum set by Ronald Koeman.
Everton’s manager has made it clear he is prepared to sell the England international this summer should he fail to sign the deal that has been on the table for several months. Koeman has also stated that the club require a final decision from Barkley by the end of this season as they need clarification before starting their summer spending. They are reluctant to let the 23-year-old enter the final 12 months of his current deal.
With only 12 days of the Premier League campaign remaining, however, no resolution between the parties is in sight, with Barkley believed to be still undecided over where his future lies.
The boyhood Evertonian was one of two players dropped for Saturday’s defeat at Swansea following a poor display against Chelsea the previous weekend. The midfielder was criticised by the manager earlier in the season and his standing may not appear as secure as he would wish, despite Koeman insisting last month that “there is no better place for him” than Everton.
Tottenham Hotspur have been frequently linked with a bid for the midfielder who, along with Romelu Lukaku, has told the manager his ambition is to play in the Champions League. Barkley is likely to see what options materialise this summer although that would challenge Koeman’s ultimatum.
Bill Kenwright, the Everton chairman, told the club’s end-of-season awards night on Tuesday that the major shareholder, Farhad Moshiri, had promised to buy any player “who wants to play for Everton” and who is also wanted by Koeman and the director of football, Steve Walsh. Kenwright announced that Kevin Mirallas had agreed a new contract to stay at Goodison Park having had just over 12 months remaining on his deal.
