Merseyside outfit Everton have made decent progress this season under Ronald Koeman and though they are not closer to a place in Europe, the manager will know that his side are well in with a chance to compete for one next season.
The Blues will have to let go of their top goalscorer in Romelu Lukaku this summer but Koeman does not seem fazed as he is also ready to leave another attacking star in Ross Barkley. The English playmaker will enter the final year of his contract with the club next season and Koeman has issued him a warning to either put pen to paper or be sold at the end of the season.
Barkley is yet to open talks over a contract extension and this has seen a number of top class clubs scout for him already. Here are three such clubs that could be perfect destinations for Ross Barkley this summer:
Arsenal:
The Gunners are having a torrid season and may lose star winger Alexis Sanchez this summer. This has pushed Arsene Wenger into the market for an attacker and Ross Barkley could be a superb option.
Born and brought up in England, the 23-year old knows the ins and outs of the English league and can slot into the Chilean’s place on the wing next season. Arsenal fans might want a more established star to replace Sanchez but they cannot deny that Ross Barkley is an exciting addition to their squad in the summer.
They are already scouting him and should try to sign him up this summer.
Tottenham Hotspur:
Mauricio Pochettino will be happy with the recent form of Vincent Janssen and Heung-Min Son but it hard to see him move into the next season with those options.
Eric Lamela might not be back before the pre-season and it will be interesting to see if the manager decides to bring in a first team star next season to allow Lamela time to get back to his best. If he decides to spend on an attacker, there are very few options more viable than the Everton man.
At just 23, Barkley fits into the transfer policy for Pochettino and working under the Argentine may also get the best out of the English star next season.
Newcastle United:
Not as attractive an offer as the other two in the list, Ross Barkley could be the perfect addition to Rafa Benitez Newcastle United next season, that is if they manage to hold on and get promoted this summer.
The Spanish manager has worked wonders with quite a squad at the St James in the Championship this season and is expected to remain at the club for at least a season in the top- flight. But unlike most of the promoted clubs, Newcastle United are expected to fight for a place in the top half of the table under their new manager and Barkley could be the man who can push them there.
Benitez will need options for the challenges in the top-flight and the 23-year old, who could be available on the cheap, could be the perfect fit.
