Marco Silva insists Yannick Bolasie’s Everton future rests in his own hands.
Bolasie is weighing up whether to spend the current campaign away from Goodison Park amid strong interest from Championship side Aston Villa.
Villa are understood to remain favourites for the winger despite interest from Middlesbrough, who sealed another season-long loan deal for Muhamed Besic on Thursday.
But Silva insists that the DR Congo international must decide whether to agree a temporary move to Villa Park or to fight for his place at the Blues.
He said: “There’s no updates at this moment, it’s something the club and the player will decide what is the best solution.
“We have players in that position and the competition will be tough there, it’s something that’s important for me.
“It’s up to Bolasie to make the decision. I’ve already spoken with him and I’m hoping for both situations.
“I want to keep players with us and want them to fight for their position. I want to have problems to decide.
“But now it’s for him to decide as well and we are here to support his decision.”
Silva also reaffirmed his stance on Ademola Lookman’s future amid RB Leipzig’s continued interest in the promising attacker.
Lookman spent the second half of last term with the Bundesliga outfit, who have publicly intimated their desire to now sign him on a permanent basis.
“You all know what my technical opinion about the player is. The player knows as well,” added Silva.
“Of course I understand if some clubs are interested in him because he’s a good player, he’s got a lot of talent in my opinion.
“But I told you last week, I told you two weeks ago, for me he’s the present and the future of the club. We have to try and convince him to go this way as well.”