Koeman to make emphatic decision on future of senior Everton players this week – report
By Danny Wright
Ronald Koeman is expected to tell several members of his Everton squad to find new clubs this week, according to a report.
The Daily Mail claims that the 54-year-old will hold a meeting with his players to let them know whether or not they will fit into his plans next season.
It is also understood that a decision will be made on Ross Barkley’s future as the England international has still failed to sign a new contract with just a year remaining on his current deal.
Barkley is attracting a lot of attention from a number of Everton’s Premier League rivals with the Daily Express claiming that Chelsea and Tottenham are battling it out for his signature.
On Thursday, Koeman told the 23-year-old that he has just a week to make a decision on his future as the Dutchman doesn’t want to run the risk of losing him on a cut-price deal as he approaches the end of his agreement.
The Mail claims that Gylfi Sigurdsson and Davy Klaassen are high on Koeman’s shopping list and could prove to be replacements for Barkley.
The former Southampton and Valencia manager has already had a big impact on the Everton squad since taking over from Roberto Martinez last season, with a number of players being shifted out of the first-team.
Gerard Deulofeu, Darron Gibson and John Stones have all been moved out of Goodison Park in the last year having all played a part in Martinez’s plans.
Football Insider Verdict
Everton have quite a big squad but it is mainly made up of young, English players. It’s unlikely that Koeman would want to see his youngsters leave which means that some of the fringe players who are currently injured could see their Merseyside futures in peril. James McCarthy is one that stands out as he has barely made an impact on the Dutchman’s revolution at Goodison this year and he could fetch a good fee. Everton need to add strength in depth due to their injury crisis and the fact that they’ll be playing in the Europa League next season. They need to ensure that the extra competition doesn’t hinder their progress in the league.
In other Everton news, the Toffees are plotting a bid for this £8million-rated midfielder.
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