Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE

Everton's Koeman hints at Barkley sale if new deal rejected

Barkley, who has been linked with possible transfers to Chelsea or Manchester City, has 18 months remaining on his current deal and British media reports suggest no contract talks are planned until the end of the season.

Everton's Koeman hints at Barkley sale if new deal rejected
(Reuters)

"Football is a business, you make decisions. He (Barkley) needs to sign a new contract or you sell the player," Koeman told reporters on Thursday.

The 23-year-old, who came through the ranks at Everton, has scored five goals in 29 appearances this season and Koeman stressed that he has not offered an ultimatum to the player.

"I think the player needs to understand this. It's not an ultimatum but I spoke to Ross about a new contract and it's up to the board to get that over the line," Koeman added.

"If not, then the player could see a new future for himself, but that is normal. It's not strange talk."

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Earlier this week Romelu Lukaku rejected a new long-term deal from Everton that would have made him the best-paid player in the club's history, according to British media, questioning the seventh-placed Premier League side's ambition.

Koeman said he was far from pleased with Lukaku's comments but would not drop the Belgian striker, who is the league's joint-top scorer with 19 goals so far, for Saturday's match against third-bottom Hull City.

"Of course I am not happy about that interview because if Everton is not a club with a lot of ambition then I'm not the manager," the Dutchman said.

"There is no need to put him out of the team. The team is playing well. Every Premier League game is difficult."

Koeman is still hopeful Lukaku will extend his stay at Goodison Park and is remaining calm regarding the current contract standoff.

"They are still trying to get the contract over the line," he added.

"I'm not so afraid about the situation because the player has two more years of his contract. Everyone knows anything can happen in football but you have to respect your contract."

(Reporting by Shravanth Vijayakumar in Bengaluru,; Editing by Neville Dalton)


2 min read

Published

Source: Reuters



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world