Ronald Koeman has insisted the deal to land Gylfi Sigurdsson is not dead... and the same can be said for Ross Barkley 's Goodison future.
The Everton manager was reacting to suggestions talks have broken down with Swansea over a proposed £40m signing of the Iceland international.
"It’s still close. That has not changed. I heard some rumours that the talks broke down but we are still in negotiations with Swansea," the straight-talking Dutchman stated bluntly.
Koeman was in frank mood as he previewed Everton's start to the new season, which kicks off with a game against Stoke on Saturday.
And he revealed that there has been ZERO interest in Ross Barkley, which leaves the Blues boss suggesting if Everton remain without a realistic bid for the England star, then he will start the season in the squad...and battle it out for a first team place.
Ross Barkley is back in training. That is good news for him and good news for us," Koeman explained.
"I don’t have any update (on his future). There is no offer on the table for Ross. That means he will stay at Everton until now. What happens in the coming weeks, I don’t know.
"He has one more year on his contract. At the moment, there is no interest. Ok, (then) he will stay and be part of the team. And the best XI will start the game.
"If there is an offer, maybe the club will not accept. He is a really good player; a young player, an English player. With all the valuations we have seen the last few weeks about players, then if you want to buy Ross, it is a big (financial) deal.
"I expected us to have offers on the table for Ross because he made the decision not to sign. I respect every personal ambition of every player but still he is doing the training with Everton; he is training in a good way. He is back from groin surgery and we will see what happens the next couple of weeks."
Koeman expects the Sigurdsson situation to be decided much sooner. He still wants the Iceland international, and he explained the deal is still close.
"Everybody knows the window is difficult and it is always a game between the selling club and the buying club. But we are close. Let’s hope we get an agreement as soon as possible," he added.
"I’m not the right man to talk about the business. That is not my job. I said really soon last weekend. Let's wait. We are not in a hurry. But, finally, we hope to do a deal."