Everton will continue to “spin plates” until the end of the transfer window with the club still looking at loan deals to strengthen Sean Dyche’s squad.
The Toffees are also open to further exits before 30 August, although it’s understood their resolve remains around Jarrad Branthwaite – with only an offer of £70m or above bringing them to the negotiating table.
There is a confidence he will remain at Goodison Park with no fresh bids since Manchester United’s two lowball offers were dismissed – although Newcastle United, who are haggling with Crystal Palace over his England colleague Marc Guehi, have previously looked at Branthwaite. Bizarre weekend links to Liverpool, which were prompted by one leading bookmaker slashing odds on the move across the Mersey as low as 4/5 on, have been comprehensively dismissed by sources.
Their player trading over the close season means Everton are financially secure and that was reflected in a decision on Monday to turn down a loan offer from Marseille for Neal Maupay.. The French side proposed a deal that would have included an option to buy but Everton favour either a permanent departure or loan with an obligation to buy in the close season.
I understands there is still a chance he will leave before next week’s deadline, with interest from other clubs in England.
Everton’s wretched opening day defeat to Brighton exposed the lack of strength in depth in Dyche’s squad, along with the nagging suspicion they still don’t have enough firepower to steer themselves comprehensively clear of danger this season.
Incoming deals are understood to be “possible” but Everton’s budgetary constraints mean they are now only looking at loans.
As is reported earlier this month they have looked into a possible loan for Armando Broja and Chelsea are now open to letting him go out for the season with an option to complete a permanent transfer for £30m next summer. But there is plenty of competition for Broja, who favours staying in the Premier League.
Any move from Everton would likely depend on movement on Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is yet to indicate any willingness to sign a new contract. He is in the final 12 months of his contract and Dyche admitted last week Everton would have to listen to any realistic offers for him.
Manchester United and West Ham have been linked with the 27-year-old but there have been no concrete offers since a move to Newcastle collapsed due to his wage demands back in June.
Everton would also be open to offers for Michael Keane, although he was a surprise starter against Brighton as Dyche opted against handing Jake O’Brien a debut, suggesting he wasn’t yet ready to deputise for Branthwaite.
It looks set to be a busy end to a challenging summer for director of football Kevin Thelwell, who has conducted the club’s recruitment against continuing uncertainty off-the-field. But Everton were always adamant that their financial situation was stable despite the collapse of potential takeovers by 777 Partners and the Friedkin Group.
That has proved the case, although the sales of Ben Godfrey and Amadou Onana for a combined £60m were required to balance the books.
And one surprise incoming is edging closer: the club are understood to be talking to Asmir Begovic about a potential return as back-up goalkeeper having left Queens Park Rangers as a free agent
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