Ross Barkley has apparently been given ultimatum by Everton that he needs to sign a new contract or he will be sold at the end of the season.

• Barkley is out of contract next summer
• Midfielder wants Champions League football
• Everton are reluctant to sell

Toffees boss Ronald Koeman has warned the 23-year-old about his new contract, but has also advised the player to restrain himself from going out in Liverpool.

Koeman said: “I’m not involved in the negotiations for his contract but I know he’s talking to his agent.

“It’s not about one week, but of course we need to know before the end of the season.

“I do feel (everything being done to keep him). We will offer what’s good, what’s normal for the player and the way he’s improving I think Everton is the best place for him.

“I spoke to him several weeks ago, he mentioned his ambition is Champions League, but I told him I have the same ambition.

“He’s going in the right direction, he’s kid of the club, kid of the town and in my opinion there’s no better place for him.”

The playmaker has just 13 months left on his contract, and is stalling over signing a new deal that is rumoured to be around £80,000-a-week.

Arsenal have been linked with the move as the situation regarding Mesut Ozil’s contract is still uncertain and the young Englishman is seen by some who’ve never watched football as an ideal replacement.

At the time of writing, Barkley has made 33 appearances for Everton this season, with four goals and eight assists on his tally. According to tranfermarkt he is currently valued at €22m, and with his contract expiring next summer, any buyers shouldn’t have much trouble negotiating his transfer, especially if they can provide continental football.