For years now, Everton’s bargaining position has been constantly dictated by their financial turmoil.
An inability to spend, and a lack of defence when it comes to keeping their top talent, has seen the likes of Richarlison and Anthony Gordon sold with little replacement.
And when Kevin Thelwell came out and spoke to the fans earlier this year, they feared the worst was set to repeat itself.
The director of football warned Evertonians that major sales could be on the horizon, and instantly all eyes looked towards Jarrad Branthwaite, Amadou Onana and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
However, the club have now done one thing which has strengthened their bargaining position regarding all three of these stars.
Everton escape past June 30th PSR deadline
After all, getting through June without any major sales speaks volumes for their newfound stability and bargaining power.
June 30th marked an unofficial deadline day mid-way through the summer, as it was the end of the financial year.
So, regarding PSR, it was all important.
Sales had to be made before then for many clubs, hence why Everton nearly signed Yankuba Minteh from Newcastle United, and acquisitions were in short supply.
That explains why Manchester United saw fit to offer such a pitiful sum for Branthwaite, a bid that was swiftly rejected.
Well, having gotten past this date, their new financial position is now one of renewed strength.
And whilst their rivals will now also have more to spend, Sean Dyche and Thelwell can no longer be held to ransom by a set of statutes that blatantly favour those already atop the Premier League.
If they are to sell now, it has to be for a life-changing sum.
Everton have new Jarrad Branthwaite bargaining position
Having got past this day, Everton can now give Manchester United two options.
The first sees them pay a mouth-watering £75m, which would allow Thelwell a huge treasure chest to then hopefully reinvest in new talent this summer.
It would be a shame to see him go, but for a figure that high, it’s often hard to deny.
Or, the Toffees could instead stand firm on their current stance, refusing to sell him altogether.
This would ensure that one of the key pillars of a staunch backline remains, and would likely help Everton in their efforts to star during their last season at Goodison Park.
Whichever occurs, it is certainly better than the alternative that the Red Devils once posed, suggesting that Dyche and his side should happily take the £35m offered and go quietly.
Fortunately, their new bargaining position means that never again will they be pushed around.