Couple of interesting articles with quotes from the time (and a 3rd that shows that maybe the rumblings aren't new).
1st question... why only 4 years, why not a 5 year contract?
http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/i-know-how-fans-felt-when-rooney-left-ross-barkley-on-why-he-signed-new-four-year-everton-deal-9637314.html
Why would someone who wants to stay at the club and become a great not sign a contract straight away?
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/football/2016/feb/05/roberto-martinez-ross-barkley-everton-contract
Maybe Ross has had his mind made up for a long time...
http://www.football365.com/news/everton-worried-as-barkley-stalls-on-deal-talks-report
I know as little as anyone else on here - won't pretend to know anything on this matter either. I will reiterate that I want Ross to stay.
Has Ross had his mind made up for a long time?
Is Koeman driving him out or is this something that precedes Koeman's EFC era?
Have Koeman's action saved face for the club with a player he knows wants to leave?
Whatever has happened, it looks like Barkley's EFC career is nearing the end which is a huge contrast to what 'his vision' was in 2014.