Everton weigh up offer for record-breaking midfielder – Koeman
By Will Butcher
Everton are looking at the possibility of offering ex-England international Gareth Barry a new contract as he prepares to make his 600th Premier League appearance on Saturday.
The veteran midfielder has less than 12 months remaining on his Goodison Park deal, and would be available to speak to non-English clubs from 1 January.
When asked by the Liverpool Echo on whether Barry would be offered a new contract, manager Ronald Koeman revealed that he would consider an extended deal for the 35-year-old stalwart.
“We will speak about that,” Koeman told the Liverpool Echo. “Not today, not next week, but of course if he is still that player what we need then we will start talking about next season.”
Already third in the Premier League appearance rankings, Barry will now move to just nine games away from Frank Lampard’s 609 and 32 adrift of Ryan Giggs’ record of 632.
The once versatile midfielder has enjoyed a successful career, picking up a Premier League winners’ medal with Manchester City and enjoying over a decade with Aston Villa.
The ex-England international, who won 53 caps for his country as well as appearing at the 2010 World Cup, is renowned for his anchoring of the midfield as well as his smooth passing.
In other Everton news, Moussa Sissoko has revealed why his move to the Toffees collapsed this summer.