Koeman: Sigurdsson passed Everton medical, could play Monday

Everton take on Hajduk Split in the first leg of a Europa League playoff tomorrow, and manager Ronald Koeman spoke with the media with reports that long-time transfer target Gylfi Sigurdsson was at Finch Farm undergoing a medical.

“The latest is that he had his medical this morning, and what I heard from the doctor is that there was no problems.

“I don’t know if he still needs to sign, but I saw him in the blue, and normally we will do the business of course today.

“We worked a long time to get this deal in, and he was one of the key players to bring in. We knew we would lose Romelu Lukaku this season, and we need players who bring in productivity. We have to replace Lukaku’s 25 goals, and it will take more than one player to do that.

“He is that type of player with the productivity, knows the Premier League and had a very good season at Swansea, and in my opinion one of the best players in his position in the league.”

On how soon he could be on the pitch for the Blues -

“That’s difficult. I’ll have a talk to Gylfi this afternoon. He will not be involved tomorrow since he did not train today.

“Yes maybe for Monday, I don’t know. I need to know what physical state he is in. He did train in the beginning of the pre-season and later on with the first team.

“I don’t know if the deal is done, but the agreement is in place.”

Koeman also had some good things to say about Gareth Barry, who joined West Bromwich Albion yesterday.

“It was really a difficult decision when Gareth came in and asked me to leave because e knew he wouldn’t play every weekend. He is still that player that loves to play.

“In the first meeting we had about this I wasn’t happy, I was really happy to keep him in the team, we expect a tough season with a lot of games. We need more than 3 or 4 or 5 midfielders.

“But our relationship was on that level that I gave him the chance to go.”

Another player expected to leave Everton is Ross Barkley.

“He stopped training last Monday, looks like a hamstring injury. We need to do more tests today and tomorrow to know what the injury is.

“At this moment we don’t know how long he’ll be out.”

The injury bug is already going around the squad.

“We have some problems. James McCarthy is out with a knock to his knee. Sandro Ramirez is doubtful for tomorrow, we have seventeen outfield players. We have enough for tomorrow but of course we need more because we have a tough eleven days coming up.

“We will make a decision on Sandro tomorrow morning. I will try to pick the best side to start the game. The team is ready for tomorrow.”