Ronald Koeman has played down suggestions that Ross Barkley’s Everton career is over after the midfielder refused to leave the Toffees on transfer deadline day.

Barkley looked to be on the verge of joining Chelsea on August 31, but a move to the Premier League champions broke down at the final moment.

There remains confusion as to whether Barkley travelled down to London, with the player himself insisting that he did undergo a medical with the Blues.

The 23-year-old is still battling to overcome a hamstring problem, but Koeman has left the door open for the midfielder to pull on an Everton shirt before his contract expires next summer.

Koeman told reporters:

“No because he is still an Everton player. To the end of this season he has his contract.

“Of course the player at this time is injured and it will take another two or two-and-a-half months before he is available.

“So I don’t need to take that decision now and I can wait and see what will happen. Then we will see what the decision will be at that time.”

Tottenham Hotspur were also credited with an interest in Barkley, and it is understood that the London club could launch a cut-price move for the Englishman at the start of 2018.

Barkley turned down the chance to sign a new deal at Everton towards the end of last season.