With Hull City circling and a congested midfield battling for spots, the Toffees must sacrifice their young prospect to balance the books and fund future arrivals.
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Everton midfielder Tim Iroegbunam is attracting interest during the summer transfer window, and his exit now feels inevitable.
Reports recently emerged that newly promoted side Hull City have made an approach to sign Iroegbunam, on a potential loan deal with an obligation to buy, or a permanent transfer.
The Toffees have a decision to make in the middle of the park this summer. In terms of central midfielders, Everton now have Merlin Rohl, Christian Norgaard, Iroegbunam, James Garner, Hayden Hackney, and Harrison Armstrong. All of those are likely battling for two positions.
Some can play elsewhere, but all six are naturally central midfield players. David Moyes only plays two, and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is a shoo-in for the attacking midfield position.
So what does this mean? Should Everton be going into the season with six central midfielders? The reality is, for a club like Everton, no.
What I mean by that is, we've spent around £200m over the last two summers, bringing in around £10m in sales. Everton need to start selling at some point, and it feels like offloading a player from an area of the pitch where you are well stocked makes sense.
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It's time for Iroegbunam to depart
As mentioned, Everton have to sell this summer if they want to continue spending. That's not a financial problem, that's a reality when it comes to the regulations in football at the moment.
Everton have to assess, where can we bring in the most funds without negatively impacting the squad. There's no doubt, Garner, Jarrad Branthwaite, and Iliman Ndiaye would generate more funds than any other Everton player, but all three would have a negative impact on the side.
Outside of that, you're perhaps looking at a sale of Armstrong, maybe trying to get your money back on Tyler Dibling or Thierno Barry. But these are young players with potential.
I might contradict myself slightly here, as I do think Iroegbunam has some potential, but not as much as the others.
The question you have to ask yourself is 'if you're not selling Iroegbunam, then who are you selling?'
That's the issue. Everton can't generate a lot of funds from fringe players, so something has to give. If Iroegbunam is the one attracting interest, then you're going to get the most value out of him.
Now you have to consider, how much are Everton negatively impacted by selling Iroegbunam this summer? In terms of on the pitch in the short term, not a lot, really. Garner and Norgaard will, for certain, be ahead of him in the pecking order. Hackney likely the same. You then still have Rohl as a backup, and Armstrong if he doesn't leave on loan.
Even Dewsbury-Hall could play there. So, there isn't a huge impact short term.
Looking more long term, given Iroegbunam's age, he could develop into one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, for arguments sake. That's the judgement Everton have to make, and that's why you include sell-on clauses, buy-back's etc.
You have to take risks in recruitment. Every signing is a risk, and it's the same with sales.
Something has to give this summer, and I believe the answer to that is Iroegbunam.