Former Everton chief Keith Wyness has emphasized that Sean Dyche’s top priority this summer will be to retain star defender Jarrad Branthwaite.
In an interview on the Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness, who served as CEO at Goodison Park from 2004 to 2009 and now runs a football consultancy, stressed that any player sales will depend on how the club navigates its profit and sustainability (PSR) situation.
Branthwaite, 21, has garnered significant interest after an impressive breakout season, and Everton is keen to keep him at the club for another year.
Wyness believes it’s crucial for Everton to receive full value for any players who may leave, as it’s likely to be a “buyers’ market” this summer.
Wyness stated that Dyche would like to minimize player sales, especially Branthwaite, and would only consider selling Dominic Calvert-Lewin if a suitable replacement is found.
The primary goal is to maintain Premier League status, and Dyche wants to avoid significant upheaval in the squad. However, the club’s PSR situation will ultimately dictate any transfer decisions, and Wyness warned that it will be a challenging summer.
The next few weeks will be crucial in determining the extent of the squad’s upheaval, and Wyness emphasized the importance of securing fair value for any players who may leave.
With the transfer window opening soon, Everton faces a critical period in shaping its squad for the upcoming season.