Ross Barkley Given Everton Contract Ultimatum Amid Chelsea, Man United Rumours

Everton manager Ronald Koeman has said the Toffees are prepared to sell playmaker Ross Barkley should he refuse to sign a new contract, with his deal about to enter its final year.

The Daily Mail's Dominic King relayed Koeman's ultimatum:

"

Ronald Koeman on Ross Barkley future: 'We need an answer before next week. He will either accept the contract or we will sell the player"

— Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) May 11, 2017"

Barkley, 23, has been stalling on penning a new deal at Goodison Park for some time, and the Sunday Mirror's John Richardson recently linked the midfielder with Premier League giants Manchester United and Chelsea.

Per the Guardian's Andy Hunter, the England international has also drawn interest from Tottenham Hotspur and has told Koeman he wants to play UEFA Champions League football.  

As a result, Everton should have little problem moving Barkley on in the summer if he refuses to extend his deal past 2018.

However, he would be a big loss, having enjoyed another fine season in 2016-17.

He has returned four goals and eight assists in the Premier League this campaign and regularly linked up brilliantly with team-mate Romelu Lukaku, per WhoScored.com.

As a Liverpool-born product of Everton's academy, Barkley is also popular among Everton's fans, many of whom would be unhappy to see him join a Premier League rival.

Koeman, though, would seemingly have no issue selling him if he does not sign a new deal, per BBC Sport's Phil McNulty:

Everton will finish seventh in the Premier League this season, a decent return from Koeman's first season in charge, and the Dutchman is likely already planning for next term.

It is no surprise, then, that he is eager for the Barkley situation to be resolved as soon as possible so it does not act as a distraction.