It's in both Barkley's, and Spurs/Chelsea's own interest to wait until January isn't it?
The phrase annoys but he's been "tapped up"
Koeman's initial comments, and the narrative that followed suggests to me, around April he knew Barkley was going to take the piss.
The first comments made when Koeman was asked about his contract;
"I spoke to Ross several weeks ago and he mentioned his ambition, Champions League, and I told him I have the same ambition," Koeman said.
"We're going in a good direction and he is a key player, he is a kid of the club, a kid of the town and in my opinion, there is no better place for him to continue.
"I think it's a normal ambition for players, every player and manager wants to play in the Champions League.
"Our next step is to play in Europe, it may be difficult, if we finish fifth or sixth that will be perfect because you don't play any pre-qualification games for Europe."
Koeman added: "I am not involved in the negotiations, but I know the board is talking to his agent.
"Of course we need to know the answer before the end of the season. It's all about the contract and we will offer him what is good, what is normal and what the player is.
"I think the way he is improving this season, Everton is the best place for him to continue."
We're now seeing why "C'mon, we need to know his intentions before the end of the season" moved to "Sign or be sold" - he's proven to be the rat Koeman/Everton suspected he'd be.
