Barcelona's attempts at a fire-sale of unwanted stars has already led to Everton being offered the chance to sign Philippe Coutinho this summer.
But as Barca reel from the departure of Lionel Messi and confirm losses of €437m for last season, at this stage it is said to be unlikely the Blues will take the Brazilian off their hands.
While a move for Coutinho wasn't completely ruled out, sources have indicated that the 29-year-old is not currently a player that Everton are pursuing.
New Everton boss Rafa Benitez does want to add quality to his midfield but is thought to be currently looking at other targets.
And given the former Liverpool forward's wage demands, it would mean the Blues having to make significant room in a bill they are trying to reduce to take Coutinho.
Everton are not expecting to spend huge sums on transfers this summer but club sources have told the ECHO money will be available for top, young players.
Coutinho turned 29 in June.
James Rodriguez, 30, is said to earn over £200,000-a-week and Benitez has told the Colombian he can leave if the right offer comes in, with the Blues boss keen to use those funds to strengthen his squad.
Messi, meanwhile, had agreed a new contract with Barcelona but the Spanish giants confirmed that due to La Liga's financial regulations they would not be able to afford the Argentine's wages.
The Nou Camp club have been trying to shift a number of high-earning players for the past couple of seasons with Coutinho, who spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Bayern Munich, among them.
Benitez handed Coutinho his debut at Inter Milan, as a teenager, and the Brazilian playmaker was offered to the Blues earlier this summer.
But the chances of Everton making a move for Coutinho, at this point, have been rated as unlikely.
