David Moyes insists Sunderland will not be pushed around by those interested in Jordan Pickford and believes the highly-talented goalkeeper would be making a mistake leaving for a bench role.
The performances of the home-grown 23-year-old have been one of the only positives in a grim campaign at the Stadium of Light.
Pickford has worked his way into the England squad and made the PFA Young Player of the Year short-list, with such displays for the Black Cats attracting plenty of admiring glances.
Everton were this week reported to be increasingly confident of tying up a £17million deal for him - a story Moyes gave short shrift after the goalkeeper's man-of-the-match display in Sunderland's surprising 2-0 win at Hull.