Koeman issues ultimatum: Everton big-money deal must be done in the next week
By Matt Bullin
Everton boss Ronald Koeman has issued with Ross Barkley an ultimatum that he has one week to decide whether he will sign a new contract.
Koeman went public with his demands over Barkley’s future as he addressed the issue at his weekly media briefing on Thursday.
Sky Sports News quoted Koeman on their official Twitter account as saying the playmaker must make a decision by next week whether he will accept the club’s offer of extended terms to replace his current deal, which expires in 12 months.
Barkley was dropped to the bench by Koeman last time out as the Toffees slipped to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Swansea.
The England star’s future at Goodison Park has been uncertain for some time but the Telegraph reported that Koeman had told Barkley to decide his future before the end of the season.
But now it has been made clear that Barkley has just one week to come to a decision.
Koeman’s decision to strong-arm the 23-year-old into signing what will be an extremely lucrative contract comes following the London Evening Standard claims that Tottenham are interested in securing a deal.
The 22-time England international has made 37 league and cup appearances for Everton this term, scoring five goals and providing nine assists.
The Toffees currently sit seventh in the Premier League, seven points behind Man United in sixth, but 13 ahead of West Brom in eighth.
Next up for Koeman’s side is a Friday night clash at Goodison Park against Watford.
In other Everton news, Koeman is set to table a £10million bid for this Premier League ace.
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