Everton boss Sean Dyche says he has no wish to sell Cumbrian star Jarrad Branthwaite.

The ex-Carlisle United defender has been regularly linked with a big move after his impressive displays in the Premier League this season.

But manager Dyche says he is hoping to hold on to the 21-year-old Wigton star.

“We don’t want to sell any good players,” said the Everton boss.

“It’s as simple as that and he’s proven to be a very good player.

"We’re not in the business of trying to sell players.

“You only sell players if you have to sell players or there’s a problem. There’s no problem, therefore I’m just hoping we don’t need to sell players.

"At the minute, we certainly don’t so we will see.”

Dyche was speaking in a press conference, via The Mirror, ahead of Everton's game at Manchester United - one of the clubs who have been linked with the Cumbrian.

At Old Trafford on Saturday, Branthwaite was on the losing side as penalties from Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford consigned Everton to a 2-0 defeat.

News and Star: Jarrad Branthwaite gets above Scott McTominay in Saturday's game at Old TraffordJarrad Branthwaite gets above Scott McTominay in Saturday's game at Old Trafford (Image: PA)

Branthwaite's former club Carlisle could be line for a significant windfall through a sell-on clause should he make a big-money move. Real Madrid and Liverpool are among the other clubs who've been linked with the big defender.

The Cumbrian, who has captained England's Under-21s this season, has been tipped for a senior Three Lions call-up. Gareth Southgate names his squad for friendlies against Brazil and Belgium on Thursday.

Branthwaite impressed on loan at PSV Eindhoven last season and has seized his chance in Everton's first team this campaign.

“What I saw of him, I liked,” added Dyche.

“When the timing was right, I thought, ‘go on then, go and enjoy it, go and have a go’.

"I didn’t have to say anything to him, just go and play.

“He’s adapted well. There are things he still needs to work on, but you unravel a player slowly, you can’t just fast-track everything into them and say ‘that’s it’.

“There are the odd tactical pointers, but I’m not breaking it down every game and saying, ‘you’ve got to do this, you’ve got to do that’. Let him naturally learn as he develops.”