Ronald Koeman reveals Ross Barkley has rejected new deal and wants to leave for ‘new challenge’
England international is braced to leave Goodison Park this summer
ROSS BARKLEY is set to leave Everton after rejecting a new contract offer.
Toffees boss Ronald Koeman has admitted a new deal was on the table but the England international 'wants to leave for a new challenge.'
Barkley's future at Goodison Park has been shrouded in doubt following the arrivals of Davy Klaassen and the £40million pursuit of Gylfi Sigurdsson.
And when asked whether Barkley will stay at his boyhood club, the Dutch boss said: "We made a good offer to him to sign a new contract.
"He declined and told me he is looking for a new challenge. We'll see what happens."
The 23-year-old has just one-year left on his current contract and could be available at a cut-price fee or risk losing him for nothing in 12-months time.
He has been linked with moves to north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal but it remains unlikely that either club will continue their chase this summer.
Everton are thought to have slapped a £50million price-tag on Barkley but their Premier League rivals have balked at the fee.
most read in football
His inconsistent form for Everton last season saw him score just five goals in 32 league starts whilst he missed out on the England squad for their double header of fixtures in June.
Barkley is currently on the road to recovery following successful surgery on a groin injury.
He was ruled out of Everton's pre-season tour of the Netherlands and is expected to miss the first Premier League match of the season.