Everton will NOT be bullied into selling their key stars for cut-price deals this summer despite their financial woes - with talk of a Goodison Park 'fire sale' branded as nonsense

Everton will not be bullied into selling their key players on cut-price deals this summer as fellow Premier League clubs sense an opportunity for a bargain after the Toffees’ well-documented financial woes.

There has been much talk of a ‘fire sale’ at Goodison Park this summer – but sources close to the club insist that is nonsense.

Though Everton will realistically have to sell at least one of their key assets, they will not budge from their valuations for key men.

Mail Sport understands the club have now opened talks with star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin amid interest from clubs around Europe, with Newcastle said to be keeping an eye on his situation. The forward’s deal expires next summer but Everton will fight to keep him.

Calvert-Lewin has not given the club any indication he wants to leave this summer. Jarrad Branthwaite is another who has consistently been linked with a move away but Everton will try to persuade the England defender to stay put for another year at least.

It is understood the club values Branthwaite at a price towards £90million. The club have kept an eye on the market in recent years, which has seen the likes of Josko Gvardiol, Harry Maguire and Wesley Fofana all move on for more than £70m.

Branthwaite, 21, is also young, left-footed and English – which sources close to Everton say only boosts his market value. 

Midfielder Amadou Onana has also been touted for a move away and is more likely to move on but, again, he will not be sold for cheap.

Manchester United were keen on the Belgian midfielder last summer but opted to sign Sofyan Amrabat instead. 

Everton saw the £58m fee Chelsea paid for Romeo Lavia and would demand a similar or higher figure.

But although Everton will stand tall on their valuations and will not be forced into a ‘fire sale’, there is a realisation inside the club that at least one player must be sold this summer. 

Director of football Kevin Thelwell admitted as much last month in his end-of-season programme notes. The Toffees had two points deductions last term and posted a loss of £89.1m in their latest accounts. 

While there remains uncertainty around Farhad Moshiri’s attempted sale of Everton, the club’s hierarchy believe they are steering towards a more financially-stable position.

Everton will, though, have to be prudent in terms of incomings. Leeds winger Jack Harrison is keen on returning to the club after a successful loan last season – and he has a clause in his contract allowing him to do so. Midfielder Kalvin Phillips has also been monitored for a loan.

The former West Ham loanee – who was omitted from England’s European Championships squad – would likely replace Onana if he was to leave, though City are pushing for a permanent move rather than a loan, which could put Everton off.

Fiorentina midfielder Arthur Melo, Burnley defender Maxime Esteve and Ao Tanaka of Fortuna Dusseldorf have all been linked to the club in recent weeks but those deals are unlikely to happen.