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Koeman gives Barkley 1 week to decide on Everton future

Reuters / Jason Cairnduff

Ross Barkley, you're on the clock.

With a new contract awaiting the England international's signature, Everton boss Ronald Koeman has given Barkley an ultimatum: Make a decision by next weekend or you're gone.

"It is still one week. Time for him to decide," Koeman told a news conference ahead of Friday's trip to Vicarage Road to face Watford, courtesy of BBC Sport.

Barkley, 23, has a little over a year remaining on his current deal at Goodison Park, and Koeman is unwilling to have the player see out his deal when a profit could be made, adding, "Either he accepts the contract or we sell the player."

Reports have linked Barkley with a move away from the Merseyside lot, and after joining the club's youth set-up a dozen years ago, it would mark an exit for the local boy symbolic of what could be a summer of flux for the Toffees. Like Barkley, star striker Romelu Lukaku's contract talks struck an impasse, prompting Koeman's insistence that those with visions of a switch will be shown the door.

"But if you need so much time then you have doubts - I like to work with players who like to stay," the Dutch gaffer added.

Consistent with the tough love Koeman has displayed since taking the Everton job in June 2016, the former Barcelona gaffer remains firm in his stance.

"We don't wait till August - next weekend we need an answer."

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