Sean Dyche will breathe a sigh of relief when the transfer window is over as the Everton manager has admitted any player can still be sold this summer, with the future of star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin still uncertain.
Dyche and Co go to Tottenham on Saturday with just 14 first-team players to choose from given an early-season injury crisis and they may struggle to fill the substitutes' bench, according to the boss.
And the 53-year-old has refused to rule out the fact that Calvert-Lewin could still be sold this window if the right offer came in. ‘Any offer of a certain level would have to be still looked at by the club,’ said Dyche, whose team lost 3-0 to Brighton on the opening day.
‘We are in a better position because of how we have (done) player trading and how much we have lowered the wages but it is not solved. There would still be a moment where the big people at the club get a phone call and go, “Right, here’s the reality, we’ve been offered this”.
‘And then it is down to them. I can give a football opinion, I think we all would (want to keep Calvert-Lewin) wouldn’t we? I think we would all go, “We don’t need to be selling anyone at the minute”.
Dyche, who is having to deal with an injury crisis, will be relieved when the window closes
‘But that doesn’t mean that happens. The powers at be are still not in a position that they can go, “Nah, we are fine – we can start bankrolling the club and we are all going to sign players” – as you can quite obviously tell.’
Everton rejected several offers from Manchester United for England defender Jarrad Branthwaite, who is injured, and set a £75million valuation on him. The 22-year-old is some way from fitness and defensive partner James Tarkowski is a doubt with a muscle injury.
Seamus Coleman, James Garner, Youssef Chermiti and Nathan Patterson are also set to miss the trip, while Ashley Young is suspended after his red card last week. Asked if he will be able to fill the bench, Dyche added: ‘There’s a couple of maybes. We'll see.’
Pushed on links to Kieran Trippier, who the club are monitoring, he said: 'About right backs, it has to build the team going forwards not just one game. Any good players, I am not sure we have the money available to sign all these players we keep getting linked with (laughs).