Everton midfielder James McCarthy has expressed his desire to leave the club, sources at Goodison Park have exclusively revealed to Royal Blue Mersey.

The Republic of Ireland midfielder has found himself out of the first-team picture this season under new manager Ronald Koeman, having managed just four appearances in the Premier League to date and suffering the ignominy of being substituted after 38 minutes against West Bromwich Albion earlier in the year.

When he has played he has come in for criticism from the Blues faithful, with a recent lacklustre display in the draw with Swansea City earning particular ire.

His future at Goodison Park has been questioned as a result but it seems he has already made a decision about his time on Merseyside.

Sources close to the club have revealed that McCarthy has expressed to the club’s management that he wants to leave. The Republic of Ireland international is reportedly unhappy about the manner in which Koeman has told him and some other players are simply not good enough.

A move in the January transfer window now looks extremely likely, especially if Blues manager Koeman secures the minimum four reinforcements he is reportedly targeting.

Where he ends up will be the cause of fierce speculation, with Championship side Newcastle United and Scottish champions Celtic, both linked with an interest earlier this season.

Koeman had previously engaged in a war of words with Ireland manager Martin O’Neill over the selection of the player, with the Dutchman irate about the amount of time he played in international action while recovering from surgery. O’Neill for his part fanned the flames, saying Koeman needed to ‘stop bleating’ about it.