Koeman confirms Barkley wants 'a new challenge'

● Ross Barkley's Everton career is over – midfielder has told Koeman he wants a new challenge.
● Koeman delighted with Rooney impact.
● Everton want three more signings: a defender, midfielder and striker.
● Koeman confirms Sigurdsson interest

I love our manager

No surprise of course, but nevertheless a sad day. All of us want to see local lads with a love for the club playing for Everton, and he was the Great Hope for us, probably the biggest homegrown talent since Rooney.

Although the only certainty is that Ross wants out, I think it's fair to assume a few things: He's not happy with his role at the club, he's not happy with Koeman's management of him personally, and he's not terribly happy with the fans getting on his back last season. And I doubt if he's very happy at getting a smack around the head at a nightclub in the city. If he has any self-awareness, he's probably not happy with his own form last season either.

Personally, if we get Sigurdsson I think we're getting a better player. Sure, he's a few years older, and he's not a True Blue, but he's the finished article. Really sad to see Ross go, but he clearly wasn't progressing at Everton. I genuinely hope he finds whatever it is that can allow him to fulfill his potential - as long as he doesn't do it against us, or, heaven forbid, for the red shite.

Thanks Ross, sorry it didn't work out.

Disappointing end to the Barkley saga but disappointing is also a term wised widely about him on the field.

Wish him well but I think he's missing out on finally playing in an Everton side where he doesn't need to be the sole creator.

Now just to get the best deal possible for him and don't bend over to Levy on Transfer Deadline Day.

I'll file this transfer in the same category as Arteta. For me, Arteta was not the same player he had been since sustaining a terrible knee injury, and so whilst he was still a key player, his influence and game time were diminishing to the extent he had started games on the bench.

Barkley has not had an injury, but Koeman has dropped him twice and benched him. He still started 32 games, playing 36 of 38 league games, and so there's no doubting he was a key player.

Let's just hope we can get good money for him, I foresee us getting mugged for 㾻-20m on deadline day, particularly if we go ahead and sign Sigurdsson in advance.

I wonder what Ross's problem is.

Wenger will have stored that and a swap plus cash for Giroud seems likely.

The problem, in my opinion, is that he lacks the heart and brain to rise to that challenge and thinks it is easier elsewhere. By the time he realises that it will not be any easier elsewhere though, sadly, it will be too late. I suspect Ross may get his move to Spurs or wherever and subsequently be quickly shipped out from there to mid table sides to see out his career. Very sad.

Get shut quick while there is some sell on value and move on.

I will be genuinely interested to see how or indeed whether he makes it elsewhere. He will be outside the only cultural and sporting comfort zone he knows, and he's not the sharpest tool in the box. But I wish him well and wish we could wrap up the Sigurdsson deal!

Is it surprising that no-one has made a move yet? Not really. I don't think the lad is Champions League level myself, not on a consistent basis anyway. He may well be on his way to Spurs or Arsenal, but not as a first choice midfielder. I can't see many paying 㿀-25m for a sub either though.

A strange situation that points towards a rift with Koeman, especially when you consider where the club is heading. I will be sorry to see him go.

Secondly is it the case that Martinez continually put his arm around Barkley, 'bigged him up' and made him feel special. Does Koeman take a different approach, chiding Barkley, pushing him and wanting more out of his game, refusing to turn a blind eye to his foibles?

Perhaps Barkley doesn't like that style of management and is the classic "needs love" player. Fair play, so long.

It is probably on the level of when Jack Rodwell left the club, ie, not anything remotely to give a fig about.

The other half of me wants to blame Koeman. A manager has one task – to get the best out of his players. Koeman has clearly failed in this case. Yes, it was a player he inherited, and managers always seem to have this thing about wanting their own players, but failing to develop Barkley's huge potential and convince him to stay rests at his feet – not that Koeman was ever going to put himself out in that regard!

However, at the end of the day, it's not Rooney, it's not Koeman it's no-one else but Ross Barkley who is walking away from Everton. And that will be very hard to forgive.

Bollocks to "a new challenge". I do not want to see him doing well with anyone else but Everton.

Even when Martinez was here and the crowd were booing, Jags had to explain to Ross that they weren't booing him.

If he is that sensitive and light upstairs then he is never going to make it in the harsh world of the Premier League.

Personally, although I rate his technical ability, I always felt him and Rom were holding the team back.

Another lost cause – like Jeffers, Rodwell etc.

Hopefully a deal with Arsenal that involves Giroud can be worked out.

If they aren't interested or all want to wait it out then he'll go for free – it seems unlikely though.

It's a shame we can't just swap him for Gylfi – but I'm assuming Swansea wasn't the new challenge that he was after.

Jay (#18) is spot on. We learned a lot about Ross in that semi-final last year.

Now to maximise the sale price and come back stronger. I don't think we'll miss him.

I'm just going to say that players come and players go and, as sad as this is ,Everton go onwards and upwards.

Look forward, not backward. Don't sweat what you can't alter, and look forward to tomorrow's game!!!

I would love to see you stay, as I believe you could still fulfil your potential with us.

The suggestion was that he didn't need a new footballing challenge as much as he needed a change of scene... and sooner rather than later.

"Seeking a new challenge" however seems a strange phrase for me. I thought you sought a new challenge when you'd mastered (and got bored of) your current challenge, which clearly Barkley never did. Can he make it at a top club? If he does he'll be "phenomenal" but more likely he'll be a bench warmer a la Rodwell, Wright Phillips, Delph and countless others.

Now it's official lets stop talking about him. He wants out, good luck but I am only interested in those at Everton who want to be at Everton.

COYB

I viewed his repeated benching in the winter – widely described here as a "kick up the arse" from Koeman – as thoroughly deserved, and the Ross who returned to the lineup from that temporary exile was the best Ross I've seen. Trouble was, he couldn't stay at that level, let alone elevate from it. Never has.

I too wish he was staying, because he's a good player... but I strongly believe that's all he will ever be. And that's neither Koeman's fault nor Barkley's – for all his physical gifts, he simply doesn't have greatness in him.

Personally I doubt he will wind up at Spurs, even if he goes there now... I predict he's eventually ticketed for one of the lower-table teams, where he'll score his share of great goals and maybe even be a local hero. But he won't elevate anyone. That's beyond him.

John (#8) – Giroud plus cash would be an ideal scenario, I would even consider a straight swap.

Any good deal now would be a result as (a) there don't seem to many interested parties; (b) today's announcement confirms we have to sell; (c) the clock is ticking towards us getting nothing; (d) he's not exactly been in the form of his life; and (e) he's just been under the knife.

Which all in all puts us in a pretty rank negotiating position to be honest. I would take anything that represented 㿊m – either in 'Cash' or in 'Girouds'.

He is not as great as he thinks he is. Get as much as possible for him and he will be a forgotten kid when the season starts.

Ross believed it. We thought he could be but needed to develop his game. Mature and gain consistency. Koeman has told him how it really is; he has not developed, he remains inconsistent and doesn't work hard enough.

Ross prefers Martinez's opinion and thinks playing somewhere else will prove it correct. He needs to remember that several other managers have had doubts about his application and attitude, if not his raw ability.

Be careful, Ross, very careful.

If he's not up for the fight for his place, then we are better off rid.

His challenge should be to make sure he is the first name on the teamsheet.

To go from a club where he has been nurtured and supported to a club where he is just a "player" in a group of many players seems madness given his injury history.

Yet he claimed to be a boyhood Evertonian, fair enough he has said he wants to leave, that's fine with me, but he must know that a dwindling down contract, (time-wise) can only lead to ever decreasing offers, the longer it went on.

If he 'loves' Everton that much, why didn't he negotiate with the board a compromise so that he commanded a better fee by signing an extension, and both secure the move he wants, and give Everton a decent sell-on value?

I therefore come to either one of two conclusions: he doesn't give a toss about us, or he knows deep down, he is not as good as he is made out to be.

I know there are a lot of fellow TW'ers think the sun shines out of his arse, but how long does a player need to fulfil his potential?

I arrest my case, m'lud.

This is the most the club have told us about the situation.

Is it possible that Barkley was presented with a contract and said to Koeman, I hear we are linked with Sigurdsson boss. Where do I fit into your plans if you have him? Perhaps he was told something he did not like such as "You're on the bench" or "you're out of position" and he decided he wanted a better offer of first team football in a World Cup year.

Point is, we don't know why the contract was turned down. It's all speculation at this point.

Given this, it's understandable of Barkley to seek a 'new challenge', one that gives him a greater success than staying at his 'home team'. And, arguably, gives him a greater chance, like Stones, of getting in the England side.

It's true that players come and go, and that Everton will carry on regardless. So, Everton onwards. I'm just hoping that, losing players like this to the top sides, it'll also be Everton upwards.

I sense that a personality clash between Ross and Ron is at the heart of it. It often happens, no big deal, and usually the parties involved can't see where the problems lie. However I think Ron as the more mature party with authority should have used his experience to contain and resolve the situation. Perhaps he thinks he has, and indeed he may have by taking the team squad in another direction... we might find out during the next season.

If Ross does get his shit together, and I hope for his sake he does, then Ron may have somethings to reflect on. It will also be interesting to see how the media react, especially if he were to join Manure!

Also who could have predicted that in the same close season, that Wayne would enter and Ross would exit.

COYB

Let's hope someone comes in for him as I personally can't see which side he gets into outside the 'top 6'. He wouldn't get in my Everton team now, let alone with Sigurdsson and/or a striker coming in. Not good enough for me. local lad or not.

Sigurdsson wants to be at Everton, Barkley doesn't. That is all that I need to know.

"New challenge"? Shame you can't face up to the one you're dodging at Everton, Ross. The challenge(s) elsewhere are no different.

Your biggest challenge is to focus and become a great player.

It's no use people trying to convince themselves that Barkley wasn't our best player. He was our best player; the squad all knew it; and most Evertonians knew it. I hope and expect Ross will go on to have the career his talent deserves.

Barkley's form improved, as you may think was likely, and so we appear to have offered him good terms. I wonder, had this deal now been offered to Barkley last summer, had we had confidence in his stuttering form coming good once more, would he have then signed it? Is it possible that he feels let down by the club, and if the club was not too keen to keep him, then why should he be keen to stay?

People have mentioned the boo boys on here before. I don't know if Barkley is more sensitive than other players, but he certainly gets more stick than others. so perhaps he wants to go somewhere where he is not the target of the fans frustrations?

Personally, I think the "boo-boys" thing is being exaggerated, there's only a few who shout negatives at him, and the groans when he messes up can't be helped as that is a natural reaction from the fans.

Martinez ruined him by praising him too much and then Roy Hodgson brought him down to earth and shattered his confidence.

His best game was when he bossed midfield against Liverpool, 3-3 at Goodison Park, he left Gerrard trailing playing in a deep centre-midfield role.

We've all seen this guy run games, he has been dominant at times, hell, even my old man used to rate him.

That time has all passed though. As his formed dipped under Martinez's final season, he never recovered it, apart from briefly after Ron gave him a kick up the arse.

Such a shame, but good luck fella, I think at Spurs you will thrive playing with Dele Alli.

And for those who say they are similar players and won't play in the same team, who remembers Germany vs England? Barkley came on in the second half and linked up brilliantly with Alli, our attacking in that half was the best I've seen from England in a long long time (not hard I accept).

I think he'll thrive under Pochettino but maybe Levy has met his match in Moshiri.

"Yes we want to keep our best players and of course Barkley is one of our best players, but okay the club will offer Ross a contract that a player like he is worth" or words similar.

He basically spells it out - this is all about money.

If the rumour is true on what is on the table from Everton (5 years @ 㿲 / 80k + 㿀k per win and 㾶k per goal = potential 𧴦k) then that's a very fair offer in my opinion.

I also heard he wanted the captain's armband a few times last season and was pissed-off when Koeman told him No.

I think Ross and his people have gone about this in a very silly way and the only satisfaction they will have at the end of the day is that some club might be prepared to pay him more money.

I've heard that Everton will not let Barkley leave for under 㿏 million.

I thought he was supposed to love this club. I can't help thinking that he believes himself to be better than he really is.

Chang beer has gone; we will be serving Carling, surely that's the best news of the day.

Wayne publicly declared, that the 'only' move he would consider was back to us; for that, he has my total respect and admiration.

Whereas Ross has put two fingers up, for whatever reason, and looks to be heading somewhere.

[I had to come back to clarify that one.]

It's business. He's acting in a cool, professional way, like Everton Football Club Company Ltd themselves act.

I want Ross to stay and show how good he is without Lukaku. Lukaku scored lots of goals but was selfish in his lack of movement for the team – a three of Lookman, Ross and Sandro behind Rooney would be difficult to contain for anyone.

I like the idea of Sigurdsson coming in, but would rather have Ross. Sigurdsson scored nine Premier League goals last season of which three were penalties and two free kicks, Barkley got five of which only one was a free-kick (against Spurs). Assists is Sigurdsson's 13 to Barkley's 9.

There must be more to the smack in the night club though; if that's why he wants out, it's a sad day for football.

I wonder how much this is a clash with the manager, him tired of grief from fans, or his brush with the local heavies.

It is true that some coaches just do not gel with some players so maybe the player will flourish elsewhere. I don't wish him ill, but it would sadden me if he went on to become great for another team.

However, I agree the manager has to be able to do the job his way and, if Ross ain't prepared to try to improve his performance under Koeman, then he needs to go, asap.

Perhaps the real reason was the huge expectation on his shoulders, the comparisons to some of our previous great midfielders was all too much for him to bear; he will be released from that pressure now.

It's difficult to dislike Ross – he always did his best, and seems like a likeable guy.

At least Lukaku was in demand and got the club a very sizeable influx of cash that has funded all the moves people have been raving about. Barkley, on the other hand... not so much. Can't even get a call-up to the England squad.

Derek (#61), the comparison is a stretch – they're at opposite ends of their careers. Rooney has been massively successful on center stage and he's massively wealthy. None of that is true for Barkley. Sentiment doesn't figure in when you're 24 and still trying to ignite your career.

Ian (#64), could be all of the above.

Personally I'm not angry at either of them.

Think it was the constant press interviews from Lukaku over a couple of years telling anyone who wanted to listen he wanted out.

I can't recall Barkley making one statement to that effect.

To this end I really thought Ross would stay with Rom gone and everything seemingly falling into place at his supposed beloved club.

I don't get it, it's all here for him?

It doesn't make sense, and as old gramps used to say, "If something don't make sense, then it's usually just not right."

There's something we aren't being told...

Some suggest he's upset about Sigurdson and competition for places? So there's no competition at Spurs, Arsenal or Man Utd?

Some suggest Koeman is to blame. Like Moyes not giving him time, Martinez not playing to his strengths, and Hodgson not trusting him, Warnock thinking he's tackle-shy? Kind of a theme here. Every manager he's played for is to blame for his shortcomings.

Let's hope the board got the right manager in this time... Beat Liverpool home and away would be a start Ron... But now we have the good old excuse that the Europa League is the failing this season; then it will be all better next season. Southampton all over again, eh, Big Ron?

When did he ever grab a game by the scruff of the neck and dominate it? When did he ever step up to the plate against the so called bigger sides? Being a local lad and knowing what the stakes were in a derby when did he ever step out and run the show against the RS? Seldom if ever is the answer to those questions.

Koeman is not to blame for Ross not doing it on the football pitch. We have seen glimpses of what he is capable but for whatever reason he just doesn't do it on anything like a regular basis. Hes not a kid hes a veteran of 150 plus top flight games.

Unfortunately, my overriding memory of Ross will be him crying to Jags at half time at Wembley against the Mancs. No heart, no bottle, no passion. Good luck elsewhere

Who do you reckon Barkley has signed for, Mark?

On the playing front he's never come anywhere near realising his potential and, reading between the lines of comments made by Everton and England coaches, he appears to be difficult to get through to. As I don't know the bloke, I couldn't say he was thick!

Pete (#60) Carling is good news? Good grief: it's fizzy pop!

Talent is one thing but contributing is another.

Dave @80: From Barkley's viewpoint, it might be a situation where he's not bothered about 'blame'. He might simply be interested in furthering his career with a 'bigger club', and in the process maximising his chances of winning trophies and playing in the Champions League. His approach to the entire matter seems very sensible.

Piss-off, Ross!

I share the sentiments of all who hope to see his career flop. And I hope along the way, there is a hostile reception for him at the old lady.

If he goes to Spurs, I hope to read in the paper that someone had to explain to this dimwit why the crowd sing "He's one of ours" to Harry Kane.

At Everton he has been 'the next big thing' for só long that he carries a lot of pressure on his shoulders. A move Just may give him the freedom he needs to make that next step up.

No less than £30 Million though, with another £10M in add-ons, and a 20% sell on fee (the way fees are going, he'll be worth £100 million in 2 years). Or sell only to a foreign club.

It might just be that a lad who's been at a club since he was 11 wants "a new challenge," no more, no less.

This may be because he has been poorly advised and thinks/been told a bigger club will come in for him, (they won't).

Or he has not got the desire to improve to the extent where he impressed the manager and is first choice.

Probably a combination of the 2 unless of course this is not a footballing decision.

He went stale at Everton and no future for him under Koeman. If, if, he can get back to doing what he did, driving at defences at pace from deeper on a regular basis he may have a chance to fulfil that potential.

Definitely went backwards at the Blues.

You have to wonder what sort of player he would have been without the leg break. I suspect he has avoided the crunching tackle ever since. And he doesn't seem cut out for the main goalscorer role, where tackling the opposition would matter less. Having said that, even Messi tries to tackle.

Bye Ross. I'll remember Newcastle Utd, Man City and one or two other cameos.

Stones, Lukaku and Barkley gone in the last calendar year and we kid ourselves we are going to compete with the top four. Never mind – we have got Rooney FFS

The more things change the more they stay the same – Koeman is Moyes with money in his arse pocket. We must buy a quality forward otherwise hanging on to 7th given European involvement might be pushing it.

There's a pattern here.

You have a distorted view of Barkley's ability, if you think he could even be a Spurs regular, never mind an England regular. Spurs are the least likely to win a trophy next season as they play all their home games at Wembley.

Any top six team would only use Ross as a squad player; perhaps that's one of his reasons for leaving. They are all stacked out with decent mid fielders, he will spend lot's of time on the bench.

"English-Born Nigerian Midfielder Linked With Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs Is Leaving Everton."

Who knows? He might change his mind and decide to stay.

Inspired guess mate, but errr, no haha!

So long...you won't have half the effect Lukaku has on leaving for us.

Playing for the club you love which seems to be on the verge of good, if not great times, is a challenge. This is arguably the best time to play for Everton in the last 30 or so years.

I hope he stays. I still believe in his talent. It's his mental approach which needs sorting out.

From what I can see, Ross has shown dignity, respect and humility. I personally wish him all the very best (except playing us). I also suspect that he is too good not to succeed.

Frank Lampard described him once last season on MotD as "phasey" rather than inconsistent and that is spot on. In 2015-16 he was excellent all the way to February and last season from Xmas he was for my money our most effective player. If he can keep it up for a whole season we are then talking about a player dominating the Premier League.

It's a disappointing day and will be more so when Levy finally comes calling, but diamonds are forever

Either way, no turning back now... just wouldn't like to see him turn into a Rodwell.

He kept quiet about what happened and took loads of stick and still never said a word against the club.

The thing is, will he at the Gooners, Man Utd or Spuds?? Would he really walk into their team week in week out?

I think someone like Newcastle or West Ham should break the bank for him. He would be a marquee signing for a team like them and he would be a big fish in a smaller pond.

It's a shame things didn't work out but I wish him all the best as he could be a real player in the right surroundings.

No probs, mate, understood.

Disillusioned to say the least. You're not as good as you think you are, Jack ... er... Ross. Bye bye and good riddance.

I can't wish you good luck. You've pissed all over the club we thought you loved.

Welcome home, Wayne!

You're right – there is a pattern emerging:

Shite players fucking off and earning us lots of money with which to buy better players.

Long may it continue.

He would have added something this season and at such an age he undoubtedly has his best years ahead of him. I don't know that he'll reach the highest levels but I think he'll do alright and that we may one day regret his departure.

I'm a fan of Koeman but I feel this could have been dealt with better. Guess he didn't feel that Ross was worth the effort.

Sorry, but Koeman is coming across more as a bully – day by day. His treatment of Niasse and Barkley show a pattern to his behaviour. Niasse did not do too badly when he played half a season at Hull. I suspect (and hope) that Barkley will also prove his detractors wrong.

Even if Koeman wanted to get rid of Ross, his statements regarding Barkley were totally unnecessary. Koeman's statements have lopped off about 㿀 million from Barkley's transfer fee, I suspect. Just as he shaved off any value that Everton could get out of Niasse by his shameful conduct towards the player.

With Koeman riding roughshod over a pliant board, who are giving him everything he wants (Sigurdsson is a formality, a new striker and a back up defender), I at least hope the fans hold him up to a respectable level of achievement this season.

At the very least, he should get us fighting for Champions League till the last day of the season and at least one Cup run (the semi-finals at least either in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, or Europa League). Not very high standards, I know, but shouldn't this be the least we can expect?

Such an exciting transfer window has suddenly gone very cold for me.

As frustrating as it has been to not see Ross fulfil the potential we all hoped he would when he made the breakthrough into the first team, he is still one of us and has not said one word to the press regarding his current situation, and should be commended for this.

Until he is wearing the kit of another club he'll continue to get my support whilst he is still an Everton player.

I just wish others would just get off the lads back given at the moment he is still an Everton player.

If he chooses to go then so be it, that is his right as an employee of the club.

Take the emotion out of the situation and put yourself in Ross's place, if you were unhappy in a job for whatever reason it is your right to look for another job irrespective of pay on offer or loyalty to your current employer.

If Ross does go, I'd wish him all the best, but not if when playing against us, should that be the case. He may regret it if he does leave but that would be a mistake of his own choosing, so let's all just be grown up about this situation.

Absolutely.

As the point has been made on here by several contributors, this ultimatum driven manager is managing the media with his replies, I wish for once it would have come from Ross and exactly why he feels that way. The comments on here are one of sadness of a talent we will lose to piss off and good riddance, all nicely wrapped up then.

I cannot help but feel that Koeman is managing Ross out of the club. Irrespective of his ability, which some believe to be great others not, the one thing we have not heard is from Ross Barkley himself. The more we hear from the manager, the more I have to ask, what does Ross say? Does he want to leave? If so, why?

The comments were allegedly made to Koeman at the end of last season before the club brought in Rooney and others. What's his view now? Is it all about the money? Is it all about the way he feels he is being treated?

One thing is certain, I want to know what Barkley says about leaving... because I certainly am not prepared to sound off based on Koeman's comments.

I work with a load of Spurs fans and they got this unrealistic fantasy that both Kane and Ali will be lifelong Spurs players but the realism of it is if a Madrid or Barcelona come in with a triple-your-money offer and a realistic chance of winning something they will be gone next season. That's football

I am not sure he will flourish at one of the top six clubs but I do think a move to Newcastle would be the making of him. He will be idolised, he will be playing in front of huge home support and if anyone can get use out of him, it's the fat Spanish waiter.

I'm quite for a loan deal on a striker this season, don't forget we have that young striker we signed on loan at Anderlecht for next season, and that lad is supposed to be the dog's.

So maybe a temporary striker could be the way to go. Just throwing out a suggestion.

Half-hearted when things were not going right, I think Koeman could see that right from the off. Hodgson's comments summed the lad up pretty well, I thought.

He won't be getting in our team this season, it's as simple as that. He wants to be the main man somewhere. No problem at all.

We will get somewhere in the region of 㿅 million, I imagine. This can be an amicable parting of the ways. He just hasn't been good enough to fulfil his potential.

I firmly believe we won't hear more from Barkley in the future; a Rodwell type career is waiting for him.

Good luck, lad, stay healthy...

All that to one side, Barkley's position looks, on the face of it, a sensible and professional one. If he joins a top-6 club, I'd certainly lay higher odds on him winning something than if he persists at Everton, despite our new wealth, potential stadium and recent signings.

He's no Rooney, but Rooney left us and won everything. Barkley leaving could, certainly from his viewpoint, be similarly best for him. The same is true of Stones and Lukaku.

I also blame all the managers who have made him track back, he isn't that type of player. He should have been given a free role up front.

Well, I wish him all the best. So long and farewell, Roscoe, you could have been a superstar with us.

1. Sign the contract with Everton.

Or

2. Sign for Celtic. You will be loved, you will be the best player in the league and you will play European competitions. And you will still be loved by Evertonians. You might even come back.

Or

3. Sign for a team in Holland or Portugal. Almost the same as in Scotland but tougher challenge and a new language.

He's probably right, he'll also get away from the Liverpool bubble where everyone has had an opinion on him for the last 6 years. I regret that it hasn't worked out, but let's hope we can maximise our return.

Barkley has stagnated for a long time so I can see why a move appeals but he has been very badly advised if he thinks he will get into any of the top 6 sides.

he should have stayed another year with better players around him and Rooney to mentor him.

Some seem always to want to blame someone for each and every situation and they blame whoever isn't their favourite. Maybe there IS no blame to apportion. Maybe Ross was offered a new contract which he decided to decline because he felt he was worth more and now wants a new challenge.

"Personally, although I rate his technical ability, I always felt him and Rom were holding the team back."

The leading chance creator and the leading goalscorer were holding the team back? From what, exactly?

Koeman:

"I'm looking to other players and that's my priority —- not Ross."

Get away, Ron. So even this statement about Barkley apparently seeking a new challenge, has to have a little dig in it.

Times are changing and I have to say that I'm all for it. If bullying footballers who earn astronomical salaries brings us back to the top table, then let's get Flashman in as Koeman's assistant.

Yes, it's great when local lads come onto the scene; however, a lot better players than Ross have failed to live up to expectations and moved on.

Koeman shows no business acumen at all. Of course its not his money its the clubs, so why should he care!

First he tells the world in his opinion that Niasse is no good, so he is for sale, presumably at a knock down price! Niasse was not out of place when he got a chance at Hull, quite the opposite.

Then we have this episode with Barkley. Do we know what Ross has been offered? I think 𧴜k has been mentioned. We will all have different opinions if he's worth more or less, I know, but it's not excessive in today's barmpot Premier League.

So how much are we going to get for him now... two bob! He was worth a small fortune before Koeman arrived; now he's injured, he can sit on his backside till his contract runs out and go on a free. I'm not suggesting that Ross will do that to his home club, but he could.

Koeman can play the tough guy but, as I said before, it's not his money he's playing with.

Koeman was a genuine superstar who played with many other world class players. He obviously doesn't see it in Ross and has had a full year watching him. He's tried to get more out of him but still wasn't impressed.

We wanted him to be brilliant. We saw signs that he could be, and occasionally he was. But he isn't good enough consistently enough and he's not the player we hoped he would be, and I don't think Koeman ever thinks he will be. He's probably right.

Doesn't mean that he's not a very good footballer with a bright future – he's just not as good as we all hoped.

I'm glad for it to be honest. Koeman is rubber stamping that Ross has walked out of the last chance saloon and it might just bring more offers to the table than just his agent licking up to Levy. And offers that Ross might not have considered until now.

Here we have a player at 23 offered an excellent contract, at a club he has been at since a boy.

A club that is making more progress from a certain point than any other in the league.

A manager who has played at the very highest level and may one day manage Barcelona.

A club with new direction and finance and a new stadium in 4 years time, and he wants a new challenge? No, I don't buy that at all.

I suspect what he did not like was being dragged off at half time in the Sunderland game for constantly losing possession, the fact that Ronald gave him a public dressing down and produced video evidence after the game did not sit well.

I fear Ross is going to be an under achiever, because he is leaving the stewardship of the one manager who tells him the truths, but who could have also have been his saviour, should he so wish.

I'm also onside with criticising him because he is allegedly seeking "a new challenge" that, when it all comes down to it, will mean he's seeking more money than the millions Everton have paid him (for not very much product) and will also decrease the fee we receive for him as a consequence. Yet some of us still consider him "one of us" and soft-soap him accordingly.

He's not one of us. His refusal to sign shows he has no regard at all for anything but himself, just like Lukaku. All of "us" care deeply about Everton Football Club and, as and when he returns to our ground, I'll treat him with as much warmth as I had for Arteta, Pienaar and Rodwell all of whom buggered off to succeed in "a new challenge" which proved to be totally beyond them.

And given he's a millionaire, I'd expect him to sue Koeman if he's been slandered by him, like Moyes did with Rooney. Koeman though, backed by Moshiri, is showing the rest of the squad that there is no room at all for fannying around, publicly weeping after another bog-standard performance in a big game, or showing less than 24/7 100% application to "the project", which in two years max is intended to get us qualified for the Champions League.

If that's what some call bullying, bring it on.

Perhaps Spurs might do him good as he won't be able to think of himself as such a big cheese there. Anyway, hopefully this announcement from Koeman is designed to push him out the door and get Sigurdsson in.

I'm sorry that it hasn't worked out for him with us and I wish him well wherever he ends up.

Strange though... I'd have thought he would have loved to have played with Wayne for at least a bit of his Everton career?

Firstly you say Koeman is a "bully", hard evidence please? I assume you think he is bullying Ross out of the club, and you're not alone as other posters have suggested a bust up, a rift or Koeman doesn't fancy him as a player etc.

Okay, the evidence shows Ross started 32 Premier League games last season, strange for someone the manager doesn't fancy... More evidence, oh Ross was offered a new long-term contract, mooted at 𧴜k+ per week (albeit no proof of the amount). I tell you what: I wish I was being bullied like that... Jesus! Has anyone considered Koeman is pissed off because he actually wants the player to stay?

You then go on to say that you hope he "proves his detractors wrong". Fair enough but to use Oumar Niasse as an example of that when, more evidence not opinion, he scored 4 Premier League goals last season is quite simply daft.

Koeman's statements have lopped off about 㿀 million from Barkley's transfer fee, I suspect. Just as he shaved off any value that Everton could get out of Niasse by his shameful conduct towards the player.

Next up "Koeman's comments have lopped 㿀m of his transfer fee" – evidence again please?? The player is in the last year of his contract, every club knows this so no comments in the world make a difference to this when it co.es to negotiations. And what comments has he made, that he wants to keep the player and has offered him a new deal.

All other comments through the season about his performance were clearly designed to her him up which actually worked as he was by far and away our most productive midfielder, evidence based again. We will be lucky to get 㿀m for him given his contract situation.

Next up: "I at least hope the fans hold him up to a respectable level of achievement this season" – I completely agree but rest assured Mr Moshiri might also be holding Ron to account also given the funds he has provided.

Lastly, my favourite, "Such an exciting transfer window has suddenly gone very cold for me." Really, our busiest transfer window ever and you are left cold by a player making the decision to leave the club. Fair enough if Ross meant that much to you but it is his decision to reject the offer and leave not Koeman's and anyone feeling cold about this transfer window???? There's a phrase we use in the West of Scotland "That's a heidshaker!!" I hope the transfer window warms up for you!!

Sorry to see him go but he consistently fell short of what was required and we have young lads coming through who could be (and in some cases are already) better.

Shame but no way would he have been first choice this season.

I am sure someone else stated what you have posted, but was corrected by somebody who said because of Barkley's age, he is past the age where development fees are required to be reimbursed.

I could be wrong, of course!

If he is dissatisfied with his working conditions and wishes to leave when that contract expires, so be it. If he chooses to let that contract run down, so be it. 'Sign this contract or else' just smacks of the sort of employment laws I thought had been consigned to history's dustbin.

Compare his attitude to Lukaku? Okay. Lukaku told the club that he would not sign a new contract with two years left on his contract, and before the transfer window had even opened. That kept his value as high as it could be and gave the club plenty of time to plan their spending activity.

Barkley on the other hand didn't make this clear, was not signing but had not given the indication that he would definitely go. He also waited until there was only one year left on his contract, meaning his value will be much lower than if he had two years left.

I can guarantee you the people running this club are far happier with the Lukaku attitude than that of Barkley, because it has cost the club bargaining power and money.

Shown great respect? No, sorry. I see it far more as cowardice and letting others speak for him. Like having a friend tell your wife that you want a divorce. Have the balls to speak for yourself.

He was offered a bumper new contract at a club that he loves, even though he probably didn't deserve it from his performances alone. He rejected the deal and advised he wanted a new challenge.

So, Koeman and Walsh have worked hard to get players in that they wanted and those are the ones who will play. Barkley will need to make do as back up whilst he waits for a club willing to pay his wages and provide him with a 'new challenge'.

"I can guarantee you the people running this club are far happier with the Lukaku attitude than that of Barkley, because it has cost the club bargaining power and money."

Well, aren't you in with the in-crowd!

Okay let's get Sigurdsson in – I think he is a clever player but I'm not sure how quick he is? I would definitely like to see a top-rated centre-forward come in. I wonder if Walsh has a diamond under scrutiny to surprise us all.? COYB

Fine for you to say but if you'd seen my 22-stone of muscular female viciousness personified... you'd be looking for a friend!

If Martinez was still the manager Ross would be here next year but if my auntie had bollocks she'd be my uncle. Lots of hypotheticals. Ross has been found out. Koeman has had the guts to challenge him and Ross has found that there is too much heat in the kitchen and he's got out.

Personally pleased to see the players being asked to step up to the plate. Get in the Iceman, Virgil av Dijk, and Giroud.

Now you might not rate any of these managers, but can they all be wrong?

They were both started, both put in positions they wanted, both given first 11 shirt numbers, both supported to be the future of the club, one was given the Captain's armband, they were benched and neither shined like the English and Spanish diamonds they have been hawked to be.

Good players but not diamonds when it comes to winning at the highest level. And the players he's buying in – many captains in one form or other - hopefully are.

As for Barkley, I'm disappointed but no one is bigger or better than the club, I think he'll end up regretting this decision but oh well, time to move on from him as well.

Koeman has the social skills of an Orc...

"New challenge" isn't necessarily a quote from Ross. It's just confirmed that he wants to go.

His last comment about respectful people might indicate that he actually doesn't have a problem with Ross and that if he decides to stay he'll be involved.

What does seem certain to me is that the handling of this has reduced his transfer value and probably increased Sigurdsson's.

As a professed Evertonian, I'd have thought the challenge he seeks is where he is already; but his international team mates, his agent and whatever else it is have turned his head...

I don't know how things will turn out for him in the future; but I'm heartened by the quality and potential of some of the other young players coming through at Everton; and signings already made or to be made.

Thinking rationally on this, I am of the opinion that Ronald Koeman is going to make the right decision. Let's remember who this guy is, how much he is paid, and what he has done as a player and a manager. The guy is also of the belief that he will manage at the very highest level.

Therefore, surely, he would not jeopardise anything over a childish spat with Barkley. He clearly does not think Barkley is good enough to warrant his position as our best player, and Barkley will clearly not accept being a squad player. So, Ruthless Ron has backed him into a corner and Ross is off. We have to trust his judgement on this.

A move should be good for him and it should be good for us, so no need for any bitterness or recriminations on either side.

Of course he deliberately ran his contract down. He didn't forget to sign it did he? He chose not to – therefore allowing it to run down. Pretty straightforward, that!

Somebody ran down the contract, but it wasn't Ross.

Burnt fingers.

He was not offered a contract until he was in his last year... Straightforward, yeah. For some.

He didn't run it down, Everton did.

Once he's in his last year and treated like a child by Koeman... why would he then sign and decrease the chances of a move? Everton allowed him to get to the last year of his contract.

a) he has sent a very clear message to Gareth Southate that he does not really care too much.

b) he has shown how dumb he can actually be.

It is that lack of intelligence that makes me think he may never be the player he could. I hope he gets a move now, goes on to do well wherever he goes, gets into the World Cup team, and turns up at our celebration party next year.

Always look forward, never look back!

Only one Tom Davies!!

This time next year it will be Tom Davies. But, don't worry folks, we have a 𧴜m warchest.

Last time I checked, Everton were running a transfer surplus of ٥m.

Little old Huddersfield,by contrast, have a net spend of 㿑m.
And Bournemouth have a net spend of 㿊m.

He was offered a contract last season. They started contract talks at the turn of the year, it was well publicised. Koeman then spoke about the club needing a decision from Barkley by the end of the season in April after he was in that nightclub incident.

As for Koeman "picking" on him, Ross was being held to a higher standard because he was supposed to be the cornerstone – the player the entire club was built around. Koeman needed to see if he was up to that task, if he could elevate his game, perform consistently and respond to criticism. Sadly, the answer to all of those questions appears to be "no."

The ultimatum was 3 months ago. There's no evidence whatsoever that any contract was on offer before that.

Koeman has managed him out. Any fool could see that.

After 6 months of negotiations and what appears to be a good offer put on the table Barkley has not signed and Koeman (responsibly in my opinion) gives him until the end of the season to sign or be moved on. This gives the club the best chance of getting a decent fee for a player that could otherwise run their contract down.

Koeman and the Club have acted completely in line with what I would expect and Ross has also handled the situation entirely as is his right. The end game hopefully will be they both get the result they want.

Koeman spoke openly about starting contract talks in the New Year, back in December of 2016. Link.

The ultimatum obviously came later, as Barkley continued to stall. You don't give an ultimatum about something that hasn't been offered.

I'm in no way concerned about the footballing impact of Barkley leaving... but let's put this 'disrespectful' cobblers to bed. The kid hasn't opened his mouth, despite Koema'ns very public vilification.

There's reasons for this on both sides. Mainly due to Ross's undoubted talent on one hand and his inconsistency on the other.

What no one knows, except Everton and Ross, is what led to the rejection of the contract offered. Was it money or was it to do with playing time and / or position?

Koeman has tried to get more out of the man and only managed it intermittently. Ross hasn't kicked on and it is now up to him what he makes of his career.

We may never know the inside story.

For Barkley, read Jack Rodwell etc etc.

Koeman's got it spot on.

Unfortunately this is just another example of the Club's unbelievably crass business approach to the pre season transfer market.

First we state that Lukaku will not be sold for less than 100 million but with initial interest from two of the richest clubs in the Premiership we sell him without any bidding war for £75 million. I also don't need to be Mystic Meg to know that we will pay £50 million for Sigurdsson. Swansea at least know how to do business or perhaps they just know a soft touch when they see one.

In some ways I am quite relaxed at the moment as up to now the books are balanced. The new signings will hopefully prove better than Koeman's first batch last season but without Lukaku and presumably now Barkley the business end of the pitch is looking decidedly inferior. Some may think Giroud would rectify that but with his pace?!

There is nothing to suggest we will[or might be] buying our way above seventh place so I would be happy for the Club to keep its powder dry for the rest of the window and let the new players bed in and our promising young players gain as much experience as possible.

Good luck to him, he wants to be somewhere else for his own reasons. For the club, it is better he is out quickly so we can get some money and he dosen't become the focus of negative attention.

If he wasn't a local lad it wouldn't be of any note. Decent player capable of truly great moments wants to change clubs.

For me, he didn't do it often enough, and whilst it is galling to think it may come for him somewhere else, I am comforted by the thought that it is equally likely he will just be the same player in a different colour kit.

As for Koeman's conduct, I still cant see what he has done wrong. Today he was repeatedly asked about Barkley. He was polite but to the point.

Koeman has got sod all right. The fact he's even opened his mouth again is even a continuing gaff that's probably going to cost us money.

Rules are rules, as Liverpool found out when Steve McMannaman ran his contract down and went to Real Madrid for nothing. A shame, a terrible shame... a boyhood Evertonian working one right up poor old Liverpool.

Alas a boyhood Evertonian might do the same to his own club unless some club signs him before September.

I think Koeman should have kept his mouth shut regarding ultimatums, because I'm sure that will keep Barkley's price down, but I'm not always a fool though, which makes me think that Barkley already knows where he's going to be playing his football next season...

"Where a professional player, under the age of 24, has been offered a new contract by his club (subject to certain requirements that the offer must meet set out in Rule 64.3 of the Football League Rules) and he rejects that offer in order to take up the opportunity to sign for another club, compensation will be payable."

When Danny Ings ran down his contract at Burnley and joined Liverpool, the compensation fee came to a total of ٦m, as well as a 20% sell-on clause.

http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11669/10261541/danny-ings-tribunal-fee-for-transfer-to-liverpool-from-burnley-explained

In Barkley's case I'd expect this to be substantially higher.

Homer Simpson wasn't it?

He wants a new challenge according to our manager.< Koeman says the player will be part of the first team squad if he isn't sold and I guarantee that if Levy tries to get him on the cheap by waiting till deadline day Moshiri will not sell him.

I agree there may be friction between manager and player due to the manager giving Ross a bit of tough love over the past season.

What more can the club do other than offer him the mega bucks he apparently thinks he is worth , which they are not going to do apparently and rightly so in my opinion.

Ross is not as good as many Evertonians think he is and as Jim above says if he wasn't a local lad there wouldn't be such a fuss.

We move on; the club is bigger than Ross Barkley and Koeman for that matter but the manager saying publically what he has is only telling it like it is and keeping the fans informed.

I predict Ross Barkley going the same way as Jack Wilshere!

What utter, utter absolute naive rubbish. Sorry guys, the fact that Koeman has vocalised this in public is just the very last step in the knowledge trail, given that us actual paying punters are, as Del Amitri once said, always the last to know.

You can guarantee that every possible paying suitor has known every single fact about the situation with Ross, and why? Because his agent will have broadcast it on the QT.

Personally I think he has been tapped up for months now but there has been a hitch, probably because of his injury. I think Koeman has just stated what he has said for two reasons:

1. To ramp up pressure in a purely Fuck You kind of way;

2. Mainly because there is a very important European game and his focus is on the 20-odd squad players who are actually focussed on Everton rather than some wantaway Billy Big Bollocks.

We just shipped out one of those and I strongly support us getting back to an attitude of "No player is bigger than the team".

If you actually heard the interview with Koeman, when someone asked how he would cope with Ross leaving, he said "I will get more players".

Inside, I gave a little cheer.

Everton won't be entitled to any compensation as he will be 24 when the contract expires.

Another lost talent to Everton, who will do well at his next club, like others who where treated the same. Good Luck, Ross.

Not entirely sure of the compensation situation with Barkley if he does run his contract down, but he must be keen to play somewhere this season – especially with a World Cup on the horizon - and I doubt we'd be so good as to sanction a loan deal unless there was some sort of major financial incentive for doing so.

I could see a club like West Ham or Stoke or even Leicester wanting to bring him in as their marquee signing, and being prepared to pay 㿅+ million on the basis that they might get a bite of the cherry at a time when the top clubs aren't desperate to make a move (in favour of waiting to see if the compensation fee is a "steal").

Sad to get to this point – I really thought he was going to be a major talent – but I think we are better off without him. The younger players at the club (Davies, Lookman, Dowell etc) are the ones to focus on now.

He must have a very good reason to have come to that decision, be it money, personality clash, or burden of responsibility.

Or it could be "I'm loaded and just plain I'm fed up here feel like moving on – change of scenery will broaden my horizons – see ya fellas".

Anyway, If he doesn't want to tell the world why he has come to that position, that is his prerogative. I hope the lad does well wherever he ends up.

Personally if he does go to a London club, I hope it is Arsenal because Wenger will get the best out of the lad, whatever that "best" might be.

You and others of your stripe stand head and shoulders above the sadly numerous cases of nasty puffy red-cheek vitriol on this thread. Nothing worse than 'grown-up' Evertonians digging hard to come up with the crispest, bitterest, most insulting doggerel to aim at Ross Barkley when, like all of us, they only have one side of the story.

Of course Ross shoulders blame here although the snarl-game on this thread is embarrassing juvenile blustering.

If we ever get to hear both sides of this story, my hunch is that Koeman too will end up smelling of skunk rather than roses.

Laughingly, people on here who think they know it all, but they do not, demonize Ross without any word on Koeman for the most part. It's a rare break-up when the blame is all on one side.

I wish Ross nothing but the best for the future. I hope it works out for him. Spurs will not be his making but I suspect that is where he will end up. So, I fear for him. It actually might be better to look down rather than up and leave all of this behind him with a fresh start where he will be a pivotal figure – Newcastle, West Ham, Southampton... And build again.

My one reservation about that is that the embarrassing snarl-crew will gleefully dive on here with their hilarious laugh-face emoticons.

A grown-up gloating and basking in booing Ross at the Old Lady. How embarrassing.

Move on from all the drivel. Support our team and let's not be distracted by the likes of this carry on.

I hope it's just a young man deciding that he can further his career away from his home club. Change of scenery and all that.

I do get a sense, though, that there's more to it.

Do like the idea of a buy back after some time abroad and after Koeman has gone when he's developed a better end product but, failing that, good luck at Sunderland in 2020 pal. You could've been a contender.

That's a crying shame really but after 20+ years without a trophy I don't care if John Aldridge plays for us, just win. Sad! Thanks Bill.

Here's what he said as late as March 9th:

"We will do everything to keep Ross and for him to sign a new contract... Talks are planned."

He does not say "talks are taking place" or "talks have been taking place" – he says very clearly "talks are planned".

Those who are interested in what we do know, will be in no doubt as to who it was who was running down the clock... Barkley's agent must have been rubbing his hands.

Sounds to me like Barkley doesn't want to play for Koeman. It's a shame but we've already moved on so it doesn't really bother me now.

I don't know why Barkley gets any stick for this. He wants to go elsewhere – then he's entitled to go. It's his career.

Oh, the contradiction and confusion...

No hard feelings and he is being very professional about it rather than making a fuss about it like others.

Dembele might be an option here if Celtic are knocked out next week. Get the Ross money and buy Dembele.

He can't come out and say "I want out" because he wouldn't get past Goodison Road without getting attacked, so all who say he should say something are talking rubbish. He wouldn't even play at Goodison again if he said that.

In all walks of life, if you don't perform to your best your boss is always on your back trying to get more out of you or talking about you to others.

Ross needs to deal with it and Man up!! Seriously.

Steve (#183). Ruthless indeed.

Darren. At #186 you post "he wasn't offered a contract until spring at the earliest"..

At 236 it's "just plain wrong to suggest Barkley had been offered a contract before the start of the season" Contradictory?

I don't think any of us know when or what the contract offer was.

Where he thinks is new challenge is coming from is beyond me. Any team that finished above us will only give him bench time if that, so mid-table teams. I see Ross going down the Rodwell road. The grass is not always greener.

The vitriol directed at Ross is astounding. He has been fairly straightforward for me. Ross was seemingly offered a contract at the very, very earliest in December or January given Koeman's pronouncements. By May he has been clear with the manager he sees his future elsewhere. As is his prerogative, as it isn't the middle ages where you have to ask the Lord of the Manor to leave your village. It isn't a slight on the club. I wasn't to bothered about Lukaku's statements really for similar reasons, but Ross has kept a dignified silence throughout and should leave with the fans' respect.

I am not sure that Koeman and moreso, Everton Football Club have handled this well. Koeman's character does seem to backfire at times, this being one of them. I feel the media tried to find things in his statements on Barkley earlier in the season that weren't there; nevertheless, Koeman should have been wiser to the media trying to find a story and kept it behind closed doors. The complacency of the board with regards to not offering him a deal earlier, regardless of Koeman's views (as an important financial asset) is remarkable. I think it should have been looked at even before Koeman walked through the door.

On Ross, I don't care really whether it is that he can't deal with the criticism, wants out of Liverpool, wants a new challenge. Nobody here knows, or has a right to know the reasons why. People lose sight of the fact that these are people. I left my job a few years ago to go to a similar one elsewhere. Got fed up of the same people, same issues and felt I needed a change. It has to really be the same for footballers. Everton should have been wiser to all of this though, rather than taking his signature for granted whilst throwing every platitude and effort Lukaku's way who had far longer on his deal.

Hope he does well wherever he goes.

Last season, he created more chances than any other U23 player in Europe in the 5 big leagues. He created 84 and next is Thonas Lemar on 72.

Last season he created more chances than any other English player in the Premier League and I think he was like 5th overall which isn't bad for a player outside the top 6. Each season there has been a steady upward trend in the number of chances he has created.

Last season he created more chances than any other player in the Premier League outside the final third (21). His pass completion rate is also remarkably good for a player who looks for a killer ball and ditto his passing range.

We will be losing a seriously good player, who may yet become a great player. He may well have been channelling his inner Ozil in recent seasons as opposed to the Kaka-esque Barkley of the first season under Martinez, which I understand will frustrate people when a pass does not come off, but it is painful when people say he is not good enough as it is plainly not true.

He is far more experienced and accomplished than Rodwell or Jeffers were when they left and I fully expect him to fly wherever he goes.

"Like having a friend tell your wife that you want a divorce. Have the balls to speak for yourself."

I would never do that. I would ask one of her friends to do it, much better coming from a wine buddy I reckon. :-)

I must admit, I have found many of the negative comments directed at Ross to be very sad, and stupid. But some supporters are quite fickle.

I first found this out as a teenager, when even our great Alan Ball (who I've had cause to mention before on this thread) received barracking from 'supporters' at Goodison when his form dropped in his return from the Mexico World Cup. Human nature doesn't change.

I actually think there is an element of collective psychosis amongst Evertonians in that his first season raised the expectations so high with the hype that goes with it that the depth of disappointment at that greatness not materialising has outweighed the reality – being he is one of our best players.

Also, since the player has put himself on the market, a few others don't fancy him either or are not prepared to pay an inflated fee.

Everton made him a new offer early this year so the club is entitled to a good compensation payment. Well read and spotted Trevor.

He may well be capable of better but he still was by far our most creative player last season (despite not taking all our free kicks and corners, like a certain Icelander I know). To put him in the same bracket as Rodwell is laughable.

His work rate could be better but, make no mistake, Ross is a good player and one of the few in our team last season who would get into a few top 4 squads and possibly starting XIs. Time will tell but I am saddened that he is going and expect to hear refrains of 'Why couldn't he do that for us?' in years to come from fans who had written him off as lazy or ineffective when in fact he's contributed more than a lot of our players.

Barkley was offered a new contract on pretty good terms... but maybe not what he wanted. He has declined numerous times. Whether the offer wasn't what he (or his people) thought he was worth, or if there was some issue around how Koeman manages him or the team, only Barkley can tell us.

The part I struggle with on here is the vicious comments about him and Koeman. My reasons are simple:

1. Barkley isn't Messi, he isn't even a Rooney of old. He is a good player who we and the media have built up to be sensational on the back of a few performances. He has his limitations, whether physical or mental, but he is and was (36 games last season says it) a key member of the team and created a host of chances... maybe not enough for the people on here, but the highest number of any player in Europe under the age of 23. So he isn't that bad.

2. Two years ago, we had a manager who simpered to these players, played favs even when not on form, treated them like his buddies and everyone on here couldn't stomach it. We now have a manager who manages them. Tells them when they don't perform, uses specific tactics (dropping them, talking about them to the media, talking to them in private) to try and gee them up, and when it doesn't work, he basically says "You aren't what I need so I need to get something else in." That apparently is now bullying?

Both sides haven't handled it well. Barkley could come out and confirm why he wants to leave... but hasn't done it. And Koeman could keep his mouth shut and not mention it despite the barrage of questions he gets.

Either way, I want to support the team, the people in that team and the people who manage it. If Ross doesn't want to be here, and his refusal to sign suggests he doesn't, I don't give a stink as to why... he just doesn't, and we should just let him go where he wants.

Good luck... wish you could have made it here... but wherever you end up I hope it doesn't end like Jeffers, Ball, Rodwell etc etc.

I find this really hard to believe. When Koeman makes public statements he speaks on behalf of Everton, not himself. He must have discussed what he can and cannot say with the communications people at Everton prior to saying it and that must reflect an accuracy of the situation, just to protect the club.

The fact that Ross is not speaking would suggest that his agent told him not to do so or he realises himself that he wouldn't be doing himself any favours in speaking out about his reasons for wanting away.

I find it staggering that there are people on here who actually condemn the lad because he hasn't responded to Koeman, that he has kept his counsel (unlike Lukaku who couldn't keep his mouth shut and got slagged to pieces on here for it). You just cannot win on here: dammed if you do and dammed if you don't.

Barkley's stats, as pointed out are some of the best in the premier league and in Europe, yet according to many on here he has not (and never will) reach his potential. Really? Which was what by the way?

He has 22 caps for England, to compare him with Jeffers or Rodwell ( 1 or 2 caps a piece) or Stones is a joke.

He may not be the most consistent player but then I would also point to those around him, like the saying goes, Its hard to soar like an eagle when you mix with turkeys and lets face it, we have had quite a few of them (include the managers too btw!)

His form dipped at the back end of the season, so did Lukaku's (dried up); so did the teams.. so to single out one guy is curious, to continue to make comment and single him out ( not in the future plans of Everton) when he has a year on his contract to go is utterly disgraceful.

If Koeman thought so highly of him as many of you suggest he would play him every week irrespective of when his contract ended... that's up to the board and the player to sort out, not the team manager.

Of course there is more to it than we know but frankly I am fed up with the abuse the lad has got, the slurs on his character, intelligence and ability. When at the end of the day we have Koeman stating his version of events only.

I remember the nature of fans when Alan Ball left, booed on his first visit back to Goodison (I was there that day in Goodison Road by the dugout and he just shook his head). It will be the same for Barkley.

Sadly it's clear to me that there is far more unsaid than what Koeman has said. It's clear also that Barkley doesn't want to get into a slanging match either. But it's going to happen because if Koeman keeps opening his mouth and knows he can put any slant he likes on a comment because he can... sooner or later, he will get a mouthful back.

It's a bit like having three bosses over a few years at work, each one knows you are good but wants something different from you. The last one wants more from you because he knows you are good but you don't fit in with his plans or style so, unless you can change, you are out. But your popular, so the only way he can do it is by undermining your confidence and ridiculing you in public... it's called constructive dismissal in another world..

As I said before, if Koeman wanted him he would play him and let the board sort out the contract issue. But its not is it?

That's all there is.

Ross is a very gifted young player. The stats clearly demonstrate that he contributed heavily over the last two seasons. He is a passionate blue.

Yet many are happy to see him go and blame him for not signing a new contract though none of us know the intricacies of the situation and what money or playing time etc he was promised. I'm pretty sure of one thing which is that he won't get better wages at Spurs...

She is astonished by the way Barkley has been handled by Everton. She thinks Koeman comes across as a buffoon. She says there's no comparison between Barkley and the likes of Sigurdsson.

There you have it, the final say as far as I'm concerned, so this is my last post on the matter.

Barkley should command a big fee in this inflated environment and the club has ended up trading off higher wages for a loss in his transfer value by offering the contract so late in the day.

An offer 15 months before expiry leaves 1 window – this one – before he is free to negotiate a pre-contract in January 2018.

I do not understand the logic of not attempting to offer a contract sooner. If this had been rejected, fine. It is down to the player and agent whether a contract is signed – you can't force a signature.

By not offering a contract sooner, the hierarchy were prepared to take a risk that he would go for a cut price or indeed for nothing.

I simply cannot get my head around that.

I'm in the "Wish he'd stay" group. Not sure why anyone would declare he hasn't improved. He clearly did this last season. Every reason to believe he'd improve further this next one.

And I'll accept the reason he wants to leave is to find a new challenge. Why not?

Wish he would've stayed, though.

I really do think it comes down to the fact he has been badly advised by other people... because he isn't going to get it better anywhere else... let alone Spurs.

It's very sad, because he is a talent... but one that seems to have had his head turned by someone or something.

He's one of our own and I have not heard a single word or comment from him about what is going on. All we have heard is Koeman's version of events. Koeman stated that Ross has to sign the contract he has been offered or he will be sold, he was openly critical of some of Barkley's performances while not commenting on any of the other players' distinctly average performances and now he has said that Ross is not part of Everton's future and will be off to a new challenge. To me, Koeman has always appeared to be ambivalent to Ross's contract position, not appearing to care whether he signed or not.

I don't know why Barkley has not signed his contract; it could be that he wanted parity with other players (I've heard Schneiderlin's name being mentioned somewhere); it could be he's seen the type of player that Koeman is after and knowing Koeman's opinion of him thinking he'd be better off elsewhere in a World Cup year; it could be he's decided that Koeman's style of management and his version of “tough-love” is not for him; it could be he's fed up of being the scape-goat whenever Everton don't play well; it could be his agent has persuaded him that he'd be better off elsewhere; it could be related to off the field shenanigans (night club related issues); or it could be a mixture of all these things.

To me it appears that Ross needs to be handled in a particular way, Martinez was too over the top and, in my opinion, Koeman is too far the other way. A good manager will get the best out of all types of players, those who can be trusted to get on with it and those who need more of a hands on approach.

For me the decision to allow him to leave without appearing to move heaven and earth has been taken far too quickly. Perhaps Ross has felt that he's not wanted and this is influencing his position. Koeman saying that he either signs or leaves is certainly a pretty stark ultimatum, coming on the back of the public criticism, can everyone say that they would just grin and bear it, sign the new contract and enjoy life being a bit part player?

It's been said in lots of previous posts that Ross has not fulfilled his promise, which may be true, but I for one, think that an Everton squad with Ross Barkley in it, is better than a squad without him. He's inconsistent, but then again so are Mirallas, Bolasie (when fit), Lookman (age), Calvert-Lewin (age) and Lennon. They are our other attacking midfielders/forwards who would compete with him for a place in the team.

He is still only 23; he is still the most creative player we have had over the last few seasons and although the buffoon who is currently in charge of England has recently preferred the likes of Jake Livermore, Danny Drinkwater, James Ward-Prowse, Nathan Redmond and Jesse Lindgard, has chosen to overlook him, most of the pundits/commentators all reckon Ross can be a brilliant player on his day. In my opinion Koeman hasn't been able to bring this out on a real consistent basis and has given up. I think it is a mistake and we should be doing more to persuade him to stay.

No-one is irreplaceable and luckily we have the money to buy an adequate successor. Everyone should be happy it's finally resolved... or should be very soon.

Persuade him... how? Offer more money? The club offered him a new deal, one they considered fair. Ross declined to sign it.

What should the club do, say "pretty please"?
At the end of the day, it is business and there will be a maximum to be offered. If someone wants more than the maximum offered, then the outcome is inevitable.

Talent enough sure, but now there are options, he had to fight for his place, on the face of it didn't fancy that did he? Plenty of players don't 'get on' with their manager, but can see things are going in a positive direction.

Christine Foster's post typifies, for me, the need to cite the factors outside of Ross's influence, rather than focus on the player's performances.

Managers, players, fans' opinions and all manner of poultry deriding Ross, clearly responsible for his downfall.

Well he's either not as good as many people have vaunted or he is too easily affected by Turkeys and the like. Which ever way you cut it, his performances over 4 years in the first team haven't been good enough for the high ceiling his talent hinted at.

That's not a slur or a condemnation, more a realistic assessment that any player of his talent should after 4 years in his role become a consistent match winner for a club like Everton.

1. The board and Koeman took Ross for granted and were negligent in not offering a new contract until March 2017 (so with only 15 months to run) while trying to tie Lukaku down with over 2 years before his contract ended. Add in all the criticism and seemingly ambivalence of Koeman, and it is easy to see Ross believing he is not being sufficiently valued.

2. In the meantime, he is tapped up by THFC, a Champions League team.

3.told by Levy to sit tight until late in window. Spurs will make their move when he is fit.

I'm starting to believe this more than anything else. The other reasons just don't make sense to me.

We are actually focused on Everton rather than some want-away Billy Big Bollocks.

I have not really seen Ross acting in that way at all, maybe I wasn't paying close enough attention.

I haven't heard him say 'owt about nowt' even when Kelvin called him a Gorilla he kept quiet. He scored a goal and jumped into the Gwladys. Got booked for celebrating with the fans (us if you aren't sure)

He has said nothing about his contract, not one word, but he is Billy Big Bollocks according to you.

If other reports like Joe @276 are to be believed, then it is the numpties in our home town who are acting the 'Billy' and maybe forcing him out.

I recall being a big gobsmacked, because it was Alan Ball, and my dad saying you can't please some people, and that some supporters are fickle. The fickleness is a valid comparison between those attitudes to Ball (from a minority) and some of the harsh comments about Barkley on TW (hopefully from only a minority of Evertonians although prominent on TW).

We've not won a trophy since 95, surely its challenge enough to become a winner at home?

Say what you like about Ross not fulfilling his talent, but the likes of Leon Osman had a full career at the blues on half the ability Ross has.

I read something about expectations have driven Everton and Ross apart; I agree with this. Our expectations of Ross are too high.

Look at all the teams above us, they have 3 Ross Barkley style players, we have only Ross. Mirallas, Calvert-Lewin, Lookman, Deulofeu (before he bailed), Cleverley, Valencia, Kone and so on delivered less than Ross every week and never covered him on his poor performances.

Players like Courtinho and Ali can have a bad month so long as Son, Erricson, Lallana and Mane etc do it in place of them. This hasn't been the way with Ross, he and Rom were left to sort almost every bit of the attack for the past few seasons, and all most of us seen was that Ross couldn't tackle and didn't track back.

Imo Ross should and could have been persuaded to stay at the blues; give it 12 months at another club and it will bite us in the arse.

Christine, Koeman did play Ross, Martinez played Ross, but Koeman, despite trying to get more consistency, actually did a better job.

He inherited three potentially world class players in Stones, Ross and Rom. These three potential world beaters were so over hyped by Martinez, he didn't even get the chance to work with one, got the privilege of helping the other two improve their games and careers for one season, only to be told thanks and goodbye. Then he gets lambasted and blamed why?

These three potentially world class players believed their ex manager so much they think they are two good for us. So much so that even Ronald Koeman couldn't bring them back down to earth.

I for one am glad to see the back of over-paid, over-hyped, spoiled kids wearing our famous shirt whilst putting in half-hearted or self-promoting performances with nothing but contempt and disrespect to our badge.

So thanks, Ron, keep up the brilliant work. I think your detractors will miss you more than those three put together when you've actually gone.

I also recall Peter Reid getting some rough treatment when his form dipped but I should emphasise that my comment about there being no comparison between the Ball and Barkley situations was specifically about treatment in relation to their departure from the Club. Fully agree that some get undeserved stick whilst playing for us!

Strikes me that Ross was tapped up last season.

I am gutted a local lad with extraordinary potential is leaving. That said, based on performances to date only, we won't miss him.

I am not saying that his reception was bad but there was and still is, an element who are happy to have a go. It stuck in my mind as an insult..

I would surmise(like everyone else here not in the know), that Koeman forced him out, made life a bit uncomfortable for him. Koeman may be right or may be wrong in wanting someone else. It could be that after seeing him everyday that he is frustrated with the lad.

Barkley looked fed-up towards the end of the season. I suspect that he would love to give his side of the story, but he has to keep quiet and get his move.

We never did hear what was said between Distin and Martinez – even most of the autobiographies skate over certain events. If you want to work as a coach or in the media in the future- you would be wise to keep schtum.

Those players all know the score- but they won't tell us. They may even have financial penalties in their contracts to prevent tittle-tattle.

You conflate several things in your post. Last first: what has jumping into the crowd and celebrating with the fans got to do with anything? (I'll let your snide little dig about whether I'm sure who they are or not go. Who is this "us" you name by the way? I was in the crowd that day?) I've seen plenty of players kiss the badge and dive into the crowd too.

I was in the crowd at Elland Road when Rooney jumped in too. It meant the square root of fuck all a bit later on. I've seen Tomasz Radzinski and Mick Madar do that in exactly the spot I've seen Ross do it, then slag the club off. What is that supposed to mean? If that's the stuff that floats your boat, then fill your boots.

My post wasn't really about whether or not Ross was behaving in a certain way or not either, you missed that point too. The point was there are things that I want the Everton manager to do other than getting dragged into a circus about a player who has clearly already decided to leave. Namely focusing on setting up the players who want to play for Everton.

I have no malice towards Ross and there is no vitriol in my post. I've supported Ross until it has become clear (to me anyway) that he lacks key aspects to become a really top player. I actually don't care one jot whether Ross is too big for his boots or not.

Once it is clear he wants to leave I'm indifferent to the reasons, so long as they are not a pattern in the club. Once a player says he wants to leave Everton they are pretty much dead to me. I'm glad Koeman seems to have the same attitude.

For what it's worth, whether Ross has said anything or not, it seems clear to me Koeman wanted to keep him by sanctioning a contract. It's also pretty clear that Everton's assessment of Ross's value and Ross's idea of his own contribution are pretty far apart. Such is life.

Koeman has tried to coach Ross into improving how he wants him to, it appears to me, but he hasn't kicked on and consistently delivered, which is the real measure of a top player. I think he lacks brain and heart like I said and gets predictable advice from an agent who is interested in moving him around, like they all are.

Now I'm off to the match.

When will you be withdrawing your support for the other members of the team that lack key aspects to become "really top" players?

And how do you define "really top" players?

When will you be withdrawing your support for the other members of the team that lack key aspects to become "really top" players?

And how do you define "really top" players? ,,BlueKfrog,1,18:02:54,,81.108.253.187,ok,19747,07/27/2017 18:02:54,Overdrive,reader,, 834836,35256,toffeeweb,27/07/2017,James Flynn,jmesflynn@yahoo.com,"Phil (#31), Appreciate it.

Let's see what happens.

What would you do in that situation? You are unhappy, your relationship with your manager is not good, and you hear that the club are after Sigurdsson. Rooney has already arrived and can play in your role.

We would all play for nothing of course, that goes without saying but this is the situation he finds himself in. He hasn't slagged the club off, and we may never know what has gone on behind the scenes.

I am sad to see him go, but I hope he does well wherever he ends up.