Everton: Transfer ‘fire sale’ mooted in Premier League relegation warning
Everton could be forced into a “fire sale” if they are relegated from the Premier League, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The Toffees dropped into the bottom three, one point from safety, after drawing 0-0 with Fulham in midweek.
Sean Dyche’s side managed to keep their squad intact during the January transfer window, but that will almost certainly change if they fail to stay up.
Jones told Give Me Sport [2 February]: “Jarrad Branthwaite is expected to become a high-profile exit in the summer, as the homegrown talent has the ability to bring in big income and is wanted by Man United and Real Madrid.
“So much needs to be ironed out before Everton can have any clear idea about which level of scouting can actually be turned into active recruitment and how they move forwards.
“If Everton stay up there will be an attempt to move on players that can be replaced more in line with what Sean Dyche needs to create a brighter future. But if they go down, we should expect a fire sale.”
Everton’s summer transfer plans
Teams like to be prepared for the future, with many no doubt already working on summer signings just a day after the winter window closed.
The problem for Everton, though, is they have no idea what division they will be in next season as things stand.
With the club now in the bottom three with only 16 games of the season to go, relegation has to be considered a realistic possibility.
Not helped by the points deduction, which may yet be overturned, the Toffees have just not been good enough in recent weeks.
It goes without saying really that a number of big names will depart if the club does drop into the Championship – Branthwaite being top of the list.
The only aim at that point will be bringing in as much money as possible to balance the books, regardless of the takeover situation at that point.
That is very much the worst-case scenario, though, and supporters will have faith in Dyche guiding us away from trouble in the next few weeks.
In other Everton news, the club sanctioned the exit of a young player on Deadline Day.
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