Everton manager Ronald Koeman confirmed after their 4-2 win against Premier League holders Leicester City at Goodison Park on Sunday that the club will be forced to sell midfielder Ross Barkley this summer unless he commits his future to the club.
The 23-year-old put in a man of the match performance in the victory against the Foxes – setting up Romelu Lukaku for the Belgian’s first goal with a brilliant cross – but he could be on his way out of Goodison Park at the end of the season with talks over a new contract seemingly not progressing.
The England international’s current deal with the Toffees runs out in the summer of 2018 and Koeman clearly isn’t keen to keep any player that doesn’t want to be with the Merseyside outfit.
The Dutchman said: “We offer him a new contract, and there are two possibilities. One, he signs that contract. If he doesn’t sign that contract then we need to sell the player.”
Barkley, who has scored four goals and provided a further eight assists in the top flight this term, is clearly frustrating his manager – and potentially the supporters too – with the continued uncertainty.
Here are THREE reasons Everton should cash in on Barkley this summer…
His lack of progression
When Barkley burst onto the scene at Goodison Park as a 17-year-old, there were certainly glimpses that he could go on to be something special because of his technical ability.
While he is a key first team player now, he perhaps hasn’t realised his full potential yet – especially when you compare him to someone like Dele Alli – and maybe it would be the best solution for both parties if he moves on at the end of the season. A new challenge could do him a world of good.
His mentality
Even though he was born in Liverpool and has spent all of his youth career and senior career with the Toffees – aside from brief loan spells with Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds United – he has so far failed to commit his future to the club.
Rather than feeling he owes Everton something for the faith they have shown in him, it seems as though he is waiting to see if they secure European football or not before choosing to whether to commit his future to the Merseyside outfit.
While that may seem fair enough because of his ambitions, it isn’t helpful for a team that is looking to build its foundations for the future.
Transfer fee
While some may feel that the 23-year-old hasn’t made the strides he should have during his career, he has still received a lot of praise for his performances this season, despite the fact that he enjoyed a more fruitful 2015/16 campaign.
Even though he only has just over a year left on his contract, because he is English and has the potential to go on to become a key player in the Premier League, he will still be in demand and Everton could secure a large, potentially Jon Stones level, fee for his services.
Do you agree, Toffees fans? Let us know below.
