Everton playmaker Ross Barkley looks set to leave the club this summer.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman applauds fans
Pundit Davie Provan has told The Scottish Sun that he doesn’t think Everton boss Ronald Koeman will win his battle with playmaker Ross Barkley this summer.
Barkley, 23, has come up through the ranks at Goodison Park, and has now hit 27 goals in 178 appearances for the Toffees since breaking into the first team.
An England international and one of the most highly-rated midfielders in the Premier League, Barkley has been a fixture of the Everton side for almost four years now – and his time with the club could be coming to an end.
Barkley’s contract with Everton expires next summer, meaning that he could leave for free in 2018 unless the Toffees manage to cash in on him this summer, selling to the highest bidder before he walks away.
On Sunday, manager Ronald Koeman – who has been strong with Barkley throughout the season – suggested to The Independent that a decision on Barkley’s future would be made today following a board meeting.
Everton’s Ross Barkley
No decision has yet been announced, but pundit Davie Provan believes that Koeman is fighting a losing battle, as Barkley holds all the power in this situation.
Provan has told The Scottish Sun that whilst Koeman can threaten Barkley with being sold, the midfielder doesn’t actually have to leave if he doesn’t want to this summer, and could simply sit on his contract and leave for free next summer.
Rangers’ Barrie McKay (R) in action with Livingston’s Jackson Longridge
Provan added a warning for Rangers, as they face a similar situation with winger Barrie McKay, whose contract expires in 2018, and the club would surely want to sell this summer if they can’t agree to a deal.
“Everton boss Ronald Koeman won’t win his stand-off with midfielder Ross Barkley,” said Provan. “Koeman has issued the England international with an ultimatum, promising Barkley will be sold immediately unless he extends his contract.”
“Does Koeman think he can sell Barkley against his will? The 23-year-old could run down his contract for 12 months and there’s nothing Koeman could do about it. Come to think of it, Rangers’ Barrie McKay is in exactly the same movie,” he added.
Do you think Barkley and McKay will move on this summer?
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