Ronald Koeman says Everton's next step is the Champions League

Everton manager Ronald Koeman says the next step for his side is to qualify for the Champions League.

The Dutchman takes Everton to the Emirates to face Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League campaign with the Toffees having already secured a seventh-place finish this season, and with it a place in the Europa League third-qualifying round.

However, Koeman - who only took charge at Goodison Park last summer - wants his players to aim even higher going forward and reach Europe's premier club competition.

"When we started we took our time to analyse the team and to do things differently because last season was not a good season," he said in an exclusive interview with Soccer Saturday.

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"Overall it's really positive. We had a great home record this season and we scored a lot of goals. In all aspects of football, the team has improved.

"Everybody likes to play in Europe. The best place to play in Europe is in the Champions League, but if you don't qualify for the Champions League then the Europa League can be interesting for the club, and that's what we want.

"The next step is to be closer to the teams above us in the table and that's sometimes difficult. Maybe it's now five, six or seven points, but we need to make the next step and the next step is Champions League."

One way for Everton to achieve that feat would be to keep hold of players like midfielder Ross Barkley and striker Romelu Lukaku, both of who have reportedly been linked with moves away from the club in recent weeks.

Koeman, though, is adamant Everton are bigger than any one player and even if the duo do leave this summer, the Toffees will still be strong enough to compete next season.

"We will see what happens with Ross," he said. "We will see what happens with Romelu, but Everton is not about two players. Everton is about much more than that. We will sign new players and next season we will have a really strong team."

Watch the full interview with Ronald Koeman on Soccer Special from midday on Sunday on Sky Sports News HQ