That is according to former Goodison Park scout Bryan King, who stated that the pair will not want to play in the Championship.

The Toffees presently occupy 16th position in the Premier League rankings, five points outside the relegation zone, with another points deduction potentially going their way.

Speaking to Goodison News, King said: “I think we’re in the land of make-believe at the moment, because we don’t know what’s going to happen to Everton as a football club, and that in itself must put a question mark over the so-called two star players.

“I don’t think they’ll fancy going down into the Championship, and I think Everton are the kind of club that would be open to offers, if there were offers, concrete offers. If Everton fell down, they would probably sell the both of them. But if they don’t go down, then they have to make strides to keep them, it’s as simple as that.

“If you’re going to stay in the Premier League, why would you want to get rid of your two best players? You’ve definitely got to strengthen the team rather than weaken it. There’s never been a scarcity of money there has there? Look at the money they have spent on players.

“It would be common sense to keep them, but can they afford to keep them? That would be the next question. If they get ludicrous offers, two players could maybe finance four players, but it’s all a bit hypothetical at the moment.”