Ronald Koeman insists that resolving Ross Barkley’s Everton future is ‘not a priority’ despite being linked with Tottenham.
Barkley has 18 months remaining on his current deal at Goodison Park and has recently emerged as a potential target for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
Ex-West Ham midfielder Kevin Nolan backed his fellow Scouser to leave his boyhood club for White Hart Lane, claiming it would be ‘a great career move’ for him.
Koeman has utilised the England international in all bar three of his opening 16 Premier League games as Everton manager despite his lack of consistency.
Negotiations between Barkley’s representatives and Blues officials over an extension to that summer 2018 expiry have been put on hold until the New Year.
However Koeman has allayed fears that the Wavertree-born player could soon be leaving and says that Everton are relaxed about the situation.
He said: “We know it’s about [the last] 18 months of contract
“It’s not the priority now but in the New Year we will have talks. The priority now is to play and win.
“I’m not interested in what you write, what you said about future of players. Nobody is knocking on the door.”