What does the future hold for Everton’s Ross Barkley?

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Everton have had a busy summer to date and it is set to continue during the coming weeks. Romelu Lukaku left the club earlier this week and another first team player could be set to follow him out of the door in the shape of Ross Barkley.

The homegrown midfielder has been left out of the squad travelling to Tanzania for a pre-season trip, according to the Daily Mail, which has increased uncertainty regarding his future. Although the club have stated that it is due to a groin injury, he is entering into the last 12 months of his contract and will not commit to a new deal. A sale this summer grows more likely with every passing day.

Are Everton preparing themselves for the departure of Barkley?

Towards the end of last season, Ronald Koeman delivered an ultimatum to the England international and told him that he had to sign a new deal or he would be sold. The Dutchman was fed up with the wait and his recruitment this summer suggests that he will stay true to his word. Davy Klaassen has already been signed from Ajax and he is a midfielder who is capable of playing a similar role to Barkley. Meanwhile, the homecoming of Wayne Rooney creates further doubt, as he is capable of playing in the number ten position.

If it wasn’t already looking like he is set to leave the club this summer, the Toffees are pursuing Gylfi Sigurdsson, as reported by The Guardian, another player who operates in the number ten position. It will be difficult to fit those three players into the starting eleven, let alone Barkley as well. The transfer business completed to date and the interest in the Swansea midfielder suggests that the club are preparing themselves for the exit of Barkley.

It is the right decision by the club as well as it would be a financial blow to lose him on a free, given the value that he holds in the market. He has the potential to be one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League and he is already an England international. If they were to lose him at the end of his contract, that would be a disaster.

Where is his most likely destination?

This is a difficult question as there isn’t an obvious move for him at the moment. Tottenham have registered an interest in the midfielder, according to The Sun, and that would be a good step for him to take in his career. Mauricio Pochettino is forging a reputation as a coach who improves his players on a yearly basis. There have been a number of Englishmen to benefit from the Argentine in recent years and he would be keen to work with Barkley. The problem with a move to join Spurs is that he would not be guaranteed regular football and that could be damaging in a World Cup year.

If he does leave Everton this summer, only a top-six club would be able to pay the asking price, which limits his options. Manchester United don’t need another midfielder in his mould and Manchester City are stacked in the attacking positions. A move to Liverpool is out of the question, which leaves Arsenal and Chelsea. He could fit into the 3-4-3 that both teams play, but he would require coaching to understand the deeper role. Spurs makes the most sense, but it would be a risk for both sides. Barkley faces an uncertain future and he may regret allowing himself to be backed into this corner.

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