Sean Dyche drops major Everton takeover hint as contract situations addressed

Everton manager Sean Dyche says that it's looking "very possible" that The Friedkin Group (TFG) will soon complete their takeover of the club as he discussed the contract situations surrounding Dominic Calvert-Lewin and other members of his squad. The Blues have 13 players whose permanent or loan deals run out in the summer.

But little progress has understandably been made against the backdrop of owner Farhad Moshiri's attempts to sell the Goodison Park outfit to TFG. Recent reports suggest the group, which is led by American billionaire Dan Friedkin, could seal a deal to buy Everton next week.

Asked about Calvert-Lewin, who is most high-profile player who could potentially walk away from the Blues on a free next summer, Dyche said: "The situation is an ongoing one, like with most players, where we’ll have to wait and see.

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"He’s got his things to think about, the club have, possibly the new ownership, although we’re still not there yet, we’ll wait and see, and that might play its part. All those things have to combine.

"He’s working hard, we want him to continue working hard, that’s a given, or it should be, and be part of a competitive group. The players have been down this road many times, the club have as well, so we’ll manage it as best we can."

Also in the final years of their Everton contracts are goalkeepers Joao Virginia and Asmir Begovic, captain Seamus Coleman and fellow defenders Ashley Young, Michael Keane and Mason Holgate (who is currently on loan at West Brom), and midfielders Abdoulaye Doucoure and Idrissa Gueye. Forward Neal Maupay, who will also be out contract, has already agreed a permanent move to Marseille, where he is on loan.

In addition, Oriel Mangala, Jack Harrison, Jesper Lindstrom and Armando Broja are due to return to their parent clubs after their respective loan spells end, although the Blues do have have options to buy the latter two.

And Dyche said: "Each player is different as an individual but if you’re in contract or out of contract, your goal should be the same: playing well, getting in the team, playing consistently and playing well for the club. That shouldn’t change.

"You could even argue if your contract is up, you have that extra bit of incentive. Because if your contract is up, and nothing’s quite happening or there’s not a lot of noise about you, then you need to create noise. So I don’t think it’s a terrible or questionable situation by any means. It’s just the reality at the moment.

"We’ve got to wait and see, what the new owners want to do and what their situation is should they take the club, which is looking very possible like it’s going to happen, but until it’s done, it’s not done, so we’ve got to wait and see."

Everton travel to high-flying Arsenal on Saturday. Dyche confirmed that centre-back Keane is fit after injury but midfielders James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam remain sidelined. Coleman, Broja, Jake O'Brien, Nathan Patterson and Youssef Chermiti all played in a behind-closed-doors match in midweek.