Already the rumour mill has started turning ahead of this, what promises to be a hugely transformative summer for Everton.
Whether that be for better or for worse is up to Kevin Thelwell’s discretion, who will likely have to endure a few setbacks before he can hopefully make progressive moves forward.
Major sales are expected, and already some interest has been detailed in a number of their star men.
However, whether he decides to sell them is likely down to how much the interested party is willing to offer, and whether that particular sum is enough to tempt the Toffees into sanctioning exits.
Jarrad Branthwaite, Amadou Onana, Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are just four of those who might yet leave, but on this occasion, it’s the latter in the spotlight.
Newcastle United want Dominic Calvert-Lewin this summer
The latest on his future comes courtesy of journalist Luke Edwards, who writes of Newcastle United’s interest in the £100k-a-week former Sheffield United striker ahead of this summer window.
It was always expected that interest in the 27-year-old would be high given Calvert-Lewin’s contract situation, but with the Magpies suffering from their own PSR restrictions, a large tempting bid is not expected.
So, it will be interesting to see what they can offer Everton that might make them want to part ways with another of their star assets, just over a year after they allowed Anthony Gordon to go for a mouth-watering £45m sum.
Eddie Howe’s ambition cannot be faulted in trying to pry Calvert-Lewin from Merseyside, but the striker is far too important to Sean Dyche’s side to be allowed to leave for anything less than an astronomic fee.
Everton cannot afford to lose Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Even though his goalscoring figures have not been at the level he would have wanted this season, enduring a particularly barren spell mid-way through the campaign, Calvert-Lewin’s importance to Everton is still easily quantifiable.
After all, Dyche’s team are visibly more effective and fluid with him in the team, given the outstanding assets he possesses.
The marksman typifies the kind of number nine this manager craves, yet adds to his hulking physicality a fine first touch, neat link-up play and frightening speed.
His proficiency in the air is also supremely useful for their direct style of play, and compared to other strikers across Europe he ranks in the top 5% for aerials won per 90.
The statistics from this season further outline his importance, given the side lost a whopping 50% of matches where he did not feature this season, compared to just 34% when he did play. Their win rate was also an admirable 34% when he played, even if he only scored seven Premier League goals.
In the past, he has showcased his ability to score with regularity, once netting 13 and 16 goals in two successive seasons.
So, there is a future where he continues to be a consistent goalscorer who makes Everton a stronger side in the process. The club must just be patient, and realise that a fire sale will not solve all their problems.