EVERTON have been told they will have to increase their offer to secure Cardiff City defender Chris Gunter.
David Moyes has already failed with two bids of £500,000 and £1m for the highly-rated right-back.
But Bluebirds boss David Jones is believed to be willing to cash in on the Wales international, who endured a difficult debut against New Zealand last month, at the right price.
Chairman Peter Risdale, however, insists the cash-strapped club intend to hang on to their best players.
“I don't expect any significant sale of players between now and the start of the season,” he said. “I expect players to be coming in, not going out.”
Moyes will now have to decide whether to follow up on his interest in a player who is not yet first choice at Cardiff.
One player who seems to have definitely slipped off the bosses radar is David Nugent.
Preston yesterday gave two Premiership clubs – believed to be newly-promoted Sunderland and West Ham – permission to speak to the England under-21 international about a £6m-plus switch.
Everton still consider the asking price to be too high for the boyhood Blue who has yet to prove his worth in the Premiership.
North End chairman Derek Shaw said: “It is now down to David Nugent to speak to them both.”
