Everton ready to let Beto go for free amid Nottingham Forest latest - Keith Wyness
That is according to former Toffees chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes that his former club lack the depth at the top of the pitch to sell the 28-year-old this summer.
Beto has recently emerged as a target for Nottingham Forest, who are working to strengthen their frontline after appointing Oliver Glasner.
However, Wyness is adamant that Everton hold all the cards in relation to Beto's future at the moment, and will not be concerned about the fact that his contract is due to expire in June 2027.
The Guinea-Bissau international is often subject to criticism on Merseyside, but has been a key player for David Moyes in recent years.
He ended last season's campaign with nine Premier League goals to his name, the highest of any player in the Everton squad.
Everton prepared to swallow Beto's value
Everton’s former chief Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that his former club will be prepared to lose the chance to get any money for Beto.
The Scottish businessman believes that the Toffees cannot afford to lose the veteran this summer, with Thierno Barry and Tyrique George the only other options within the squad.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, Wyness explained why Moyes and Co. may opt to take the hit of losing Beto for free.
"I think Everton will be the ones that will decide whether Beto goes or not at the moment," he said.
"They'd be prepared to let him go, I think, for nothing next season if they had to, because they need to have cover in that position.
"So I think it's all dependent on Everton's incomings, even though I think he would be a good fit at Forest."
Everton 'trapped' by Iliman Ndiaye developments
Former Manchester City financial advisor Stefan Borson told Football Insider last weekend that Everton could "really do with the profit" from a sale of Iliman Ndiaye this summer.
The Senegal international is attracting strong interest from Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, even if the two parties are yet to reach an agreement.
Borson believes that Everton are "trapped" to some extent, because they need the money but also cannot afford to lose their star man.
The football finance expert has warned that the fans need to be "patient" with the club, as they do not have the money to splash on multiple new signings like some of their rivals.