Tottenham Hotspur have got the green signal to rope in Ross Barkley after Ronald Koeman confirmed that the English attacking midfielder has no future at Everton.
Everton boss Koeman accentuated that the attacking midfielder will be sold before the end of the summer transfer window.
And now Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino will step up his efforts to sign the 23-year-old Everton playmaker.
Barkley was keen on making a move and had rejected a £100,000-a-week contract offer from Everton at the end of the last season.
When asked whether Barkley would be on his way before the end of next month, Koeman said: “Yes. 100 per cent. I knew this already from the end of last season.”
“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.”
“Okay 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.”
Barkley’s journey with his boyhood was all but over when he did not respond to Everton’s ultimatum to extend his contract.
He has now entered into the final year of his current contract and finds himself unwanted at Goodison Park.
Sources reveal that Arsenal are set to join Tottenham in the race to secure the signature of Barkley but both the club would table a bid less than Everton’s £50m asking price.
Barkley is currently recovering from a groin operation and Koeman said: “It will take three or four weeks to be back.”
“His personal situation is not so difficult.”
“It is really clear. I am looking to other players, that is my priority and not Ross, with all respect because it is his decision.”
“Everybody knows what the situation is. That is enough. I don’t talk anymore about this situation, we will see what happens. He told me at the end of last season (that he wants to leave).”
“He has one more year on his contract and we work with respectful people.”
“And after his surgery, if he is back for training, he will be part of the first team sessions.”
Everton has already roped in seven players this summer and have lined up Gylfi Sigurdsson as a potential replacement for Barkley.
Koeman is also eyeing to add more reinforcements in other departments, adding: “We have lost Ramiro Funes Mori to a knee injury and I am looking to replace him.”
“We lost Romelu Lukaku and brought in Sandro Ramirez. But we are trying to sign another striker and maybe one more.”