Everton playmaker Ross Barkley’s future at the club appears increasingly uncertain as he was not part of the squad that flew out to the pre-season tour, according to the Times.
The newspaper claims that the Merseyside club have insisted that the real reason the 23-year-old is staying behind is to receive treatment on a groin injury even though he has been involved in the first-team training sessions over the last couple of days.
The Toffees have travelled to Tanzania and they are set to get their pre-season underway on Thursday as they face Kenyan outfit Gor Mahia.
Everton will then take on Dutch side FC Twente and Belgian outfit Genk before returning to England to face La Liga side Sevilla at Goodison Park in their final pre-season match in August.
Barkley’s future at the club has been in the air since the end of last season where Everton boss Ronald Koeman issued the midfielder with an ultimatum to put pen to paper on a deal or risk not being involved.
The Englishman has attracted much interest as the Sun recently reported that fellow Premier League side Tottenham were planning to launch a bid for the midfielder this summer.
Everton seem to be prepared to lose Barkley this summer as they have already signed attacking midfielder Davy Klaassen from Ajax.
Barkley was a first-team regular for Everton last season, making a total of 39 appearances in all competitions and notching up six goals.
The midfielder’s current contract at Goodison Park runs out next summer.