Everton may have enjoyed a summer laden with incomings thus far, but sooner or later a few might have to follow in Ben Godfrey and Lewis Dobbin’s footsteps.
After all, it seems Kevin Thelwell is not letting up in his pursuit of additional transfers, and thus with PSR looming, some kind of counterbalance must be proposed.
He will want any exits to be players who he has deemed unfit for Sean Dyche’s squad, but in some instances, he will not have that luxury.
Especially if a mouth-watering bid comes in, or certain players force their way out.
That could still happen on both fronts.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s contract dispute continues
As Manchester United still want Jarrad Branthwaite, the Toffees have thus far stood firm on their £75m price tag.
It seems that they could easily end the summer with the 22-year-old still at Goodison Park, which would be a huge positive, but at the same time welcome in a vast fortune to sanction his sale.
However, at the other end of the pitch, there remains a striking dilemma.
After all, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s contract remains a real bone of contention, as the Englishman is insistent that he will not sign a new deal despite the brighter future being forged by Thelwell.
The marksman has been an integral figure for Everton across his eight years at the club, but with a deal that expires next summer, a decision must soon be made.
If he is to leave, Dyche will be well aware that he cannot in turn allow another forward to leave.
Everton cannot allow Beto to leave as well
So, with rumours also suggesting that Beto might leave Everton as well this summer, the Toffees have a decision to make.
They can go all in on Calvert-Lewin, submitting to his wage demands and locking him down for the foreseeable future, and in turn, they would retain a reliable striker who seldom lets his team down.
Or, they could keep trying to tempt him with a smaller offer, safe in the knowledge that Beto could deputise well should he depart.
The Portuguese finisher endured a tough first campaign on Merseyside, joining from Udinese last summer, but few can deny the physical assets he boasts.
Standing at 6 foot 4, but impressively fast for his size, it is just his technical skillset that sometimes lets him down.
However, despite not quite boasting that same fine first touch as his teammate, he still knows where the net is, and scored five goals in all competitions last season.
Calvert-Lewin only notched three more despite being favoured throughout the term.
The two are very different stylistically, but at the end of the day, offer a focal point for players like Abdoulaye Doucoure and now Iliman Ndiaye to play off.
One may well leave, but both cannot be allowed to depart in the same window without ample cover being found.
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