Ross Barkley could stay at Everton

ROSS BARKLEY could stay at Everton until next summer if no offers arrive, says Ronald Koeman.

The 23-year-old was told he was free to leave this summer after rejecting a new deal at his boyhood club. And Spurs defender Danny Rose urged his side to secure Barkley’s services in a brutally honest exclusive interview with SunSport.

But Goodison Park boss Koeman insists his man is going nowhere currently as things stand.

Speaking ahead of Everton’s Premier League opener against Stoke on Saturday, he said “There is no offer on the table for Ross – that means he will stay at Everton.

“The player has one year [left on his] contract and there is no offer.

“Maybe the club will not accept the offer [if and when it comes] because he is a good, young, English player. If somebody wants to buy Ross it’s a big deal. “If there is no interest then he will stay and be part of the team. I respect every personal ambition of every player.

“Still he is training with Everton, he is part of the team and training in a good way.”

Meanwhile, Koeman is still looking to recruit ahead of the big kick-off as he aims to guide the club to better finish than last season’s seventh spot. He added: “If we can do the business we want then we’re stronger than last season.

“It’s difficult. we’re changing a lot at Everton on the pitch and off the pitch. It’s important to grow but it is difficult because you need one or two big clubs struggling and then maybe you can make the next step. "We have big ambitions. The end of the transfer window, it's more realistic to speak about what is possible.

"We have spent money, but everyone is spending and looking for the best players."

From The Sun