Ross Barkley's desire to seek a new challenge is down to his working relationship becoming strained with manager Ronald Koeman last season.
That is according to respected football journalist Paul Joyce, who has reported in the Times that the 23-year-old confronted the Toffees boss over his public criticism of the former's form during the 2016/17 campaign.
Koeman revealed his frustration over Barkley's displays on a couple of occasions last term as he sought to drag the best out of his talented attacker, but those comments appear to have led Barkley to grow tired of his manager's barbs and challenge Koeman on them.