Koeman wants Strootman as Barry's successor

Everton coach Ronald Koeman wants fellow Dutchman Kevin Strootman to replace Gareth Barry at the end of the season.

Barry, 35, joined the Toffees on a season-long loan from Manchester City in 2013 before he made the move permanent on a free transfer a year later.

The former England international has been a regular in the heart of the midfield this season, but with his contract due to expire next summer, Koeman is on the search for a suitable replacement.

Sources in Italy claim that Strootman has emerged as a potential candidate to fill the void after he got through injury concerns.

The Netherlands international had underwent a series of knee surgeries over the past 18 months, but he is now fully fit and back into the reckoning at AS Roma.

Meanwhile, Barry has recently suggested that he is capable of prolonging his professional career, and is hopeful of earning an extension at Goodison Park.