Honestly, can we wait him out during the season? Seriously. Sounds crazy and risky, but if he's on 50K a week (let's just say), if we've got a deal on the table for $100K, is he willing to leave a couple million on the table to play for us for another year and leave on a free? Just seems like if no one comes calling that's giving him CL football, he would sign a deal, we'd promise him he could leave if we don't get into the CL, and agree on a lower release clause that assures him of the ability to move.
I think it's probably more likely that he's waiting to see if Everton really are going to spend money this summer and be ambitious. That's my guess.