Following the news that striker Romelu Lukaku will not sign a new deal with Everton, the Merseyside outfit will be even more determined to keep another player that has been linked with a move away from the club – midfielder Ross Barkley.

The England international is said to be a target for Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur according to reports in the Daily Telegraph this week, and it won’t come as much of a surprise to manager Ronald Koeman following some impressive displays from the 23-year-old this season, who has been given a more free role in the team by the Dutchman in recent weeks.

If Barkley did leave Goodison Park, Everton would need an individual with quality to replace the four goals and seven assists he has provided in 25 Premier League appearances this season, which isn’t always easy to find.

However, here are FOUR players that could replace Barkley if he decided to move on to pastures new this summer…

Yacine Brahimi

Everton came close to a £35m club-record deal for the Algeria international last summer according to reports in the Guardian, and they are likely to renew that interest at the end of the season.

The Porto winger, who can also play in an attacking midfield role, has scored five goals and provided four assists in 24 appearances in all competitions for the Portuguese giants this term.

While it may not be as good as his record in previous years, the 27-year-old continues to show that he can be real danger in the final third.

Gylfi Sigurdsson

The Toffees should be taking a look at Sigurdsson this summer whatever situation they find themselves in – but especially if Barkley does leave Goodison Park.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed another fantastic season at the Liberty Stadium, and he has scored eight goals and provided 11 assists – the most in the Premier League – in a side that has spent most of the campaign battling relegation.

Recent reports in the Daily Star suggest the Iceland international is valued at £30m and is an Everton target, and he would seemingly be worth every penny.

Youri Tielemans

The 19-year-old has been in outstanding form for Anderlecht this season, and he will likely have a number of the European giants looking to sign him this summer.

With 17 goals and 10 assists from 40 appearances in all competitions for the Belgian side from the middle of the park, it will come as a surprise that he could be available for as little as €20m according to Tuttomercatoweb.

The fact that he is good friends with Toffees striker Romelu Lukaku and will want guaranteed first team football could give the Merseyside outfit an advantage, and it would be a real statement of intent from the club.

Wayne Rooney

Toffees manager Ronald Koeman admitted last month that he would consider bringing the Manchester United man back to Goodison Park if the opportunity arose, and it seems more and more likely that it could happen this summer.

The 31-year-old is already playing in a slightly deeper role than the one he played the majority of his career in, and it is one that is similar to the one that Barkley is currently featuring in.

If the 23-year-old did leave, not too many Toffees supporters would turn their noses up if the returning Rooney was his replacement.

Do YOU agree, Everton fans? Let us know in the comments section below.