Ronald Koeman has told Ross Barkley that he must sign a new contract with Everton or be sold.
Barkley featured in the Blues’ 4-2 win over Leicester City but is still yet to agree an extension to his current deal, which expires at the end of next season.
The England international previously provoked a stern warning from Koeman that he may jeopardise his Goodison Park career in stalling on negotiations.
And the Everton manager was again forthright in his views on Barkley’s future.
He said: “We offer him a new contract and then two possibilities.
“One is sign that contract and if you don’t sign the contract we need to sell the player.
“It’s not so difficult in my opinion.”
Despite the warning, Koeman was also effusive in his praise for Barkley and team mate Romelu Lukaku following the latter’s two-goal haul against the Foxes.
Lukaku’s brace took his tally for this season to 23 goals and helped put further distance from Tottenham’s Harry Kane in the battle for the Golden Boot.
“Even if they don’t perform to their best level we try to keep the best players,” added Koeman.
“We’ve spoken a lot about Ross and Rom because they are really important most of the time. They can be the difference between Everton and the opponents, like today.”
“We know Rom is a great finisher but I think Ross played really great football between the lines with a great view of the game and got his assist.
“That’s what you like to see, your best players performing like what they showed this afternoon.
“They played outstanding but the team performance was outstanding. You need those kinds of players on the top level because they make the difference.”