Ross Barkley set to leave Everton

Ross Barkley signalled the end of his Everton career by informing Ronald Koeman that he will not sign a new contract and “is looking for a new challenge”.

The Everton manager, expected Barkley to leave his boyhood club since the end of last season when the midfielder failed to respond to an ultimatum to sign an extended deal.

Koeman went further on Wednesday when he confirmed there was no way back for the 23-year-old at Everton and he fully expects the England international to be sold.

Koeman added, however, that there are no offers on the table for Barkley, who has been strongly linked with a move to Tottenham Hotspur, albeit with Spurs balking at Everton’s £50m asking price for a player who is out of contract next summer.

“He had his groin surgery last week and it will take three or four weeks to be back,” Koeman said.

“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. 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.”

UCJ, UNILORIN.