'I'm just hoping' - Everton boss Sean Dyche's FFP point deals Tottenham Jarrad Branthwaite blow

Everton boss Sean Dyche says the club 'don't need to sell players' amid reports linking Tottenham with a move for Jarrad Branthwaite.

Twenty-one-year-old Branthwaite, signed from Carlise United in 2020, has established himself as one of the best up-and-coming defenders in the Premier League and has practically been an ever-present for the Toffees since being drafted into Dyche's XI back in August.

However, Dyche has made it clear he doesn't want to lose Branthwaite in the summer window, even if it could help relieve some of the financial pressure Everton are currently experiencing. The Toffees suffered a 10-point deduction for Financial Fair Play (FFP) breaches earlier in the season, although it was subsequently reduced to six on appeal, and have also been dealt with a second set of charges they are awaiting a verdict on.

Despite those issues, Dyche says Everton do not need to sell players ahead of the summer transfer window, seemingly dealing a blow to any hopes Tottenham may have had of signing Branthwaite.

«We don't want to sell any good players,» said Dyche. «It's as simple as that and he's proven to be a very good player. We're not in the business of trying to sell players.

»You only sell players if you have to sell players or there's a problem. There's no problem, therefore I'm just hoping we don't need to sell players. At the minute, we certainly don't so we will see."

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Continuing to speak highly of Branthwaite, who has been linked with moves to Chelsea, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Madrid, Dyche added: «He's adapted well.