Following the uncertainty off the pitch after a disappointing 2023/24 campaign, Everton have had quite an eventful window to date.
The well documented financial troubles meant that the club's transfer strategy would be different to the previous years of heavy spending.
Director of Football Kevin Thelwell had asked supporters at the start of the window to be 'patient and understanding' of the new recruitment drive, focused on younger players with potential to help the club grow long-term.
That meant the potential sale of some star names with Amadou Onana moving on for £60m, while the highly-rated and much-speculated Jarrad Branthwaite looks more likely to stay now.
Five new faces have arrived since, with four of those recruits under the age of 25 and costing a combined fee of around £40m.
With the new 2024/25 Premier League season edging nearer, VAVEL decided to break down Everton's current summer business.
The four with potential
The main drive in Everton's spending this summer has been the desire to create a more balanced team with both experience and youth, with the latter being the focus.
Tim Iroegbunam
A shrewd level of purchasing began with the signing of Tim Iroegbunam from Aston Villa for £9m.
Despite struggling for game time at Villa last term, the 21-year-old had a breakthrough campaign on loan at Queens Park Rangers back in 2022/23.
The midfielder played 32 times for the West London outfit, with his energy and tenacity in the middle helping them to Championship safety.
Everton's gap in the that area of the pitch is well known and based on Iroegbunam's contribution in pre-season so far, it could signal a regular involvement in the team.
Iliman Ndiaye
Everton's spending increased further with the addition of Iliman Ndiaye in a £15m deal from last season's Europa League semi-finalists Marseille.
Despite a rocky time in his only season in Ligue 1, Ndiaye possesses an ability that Everton have lacked in forward areas.
Comfortable as a second striker or wide player, he has the skill to create something from nothing through his dribbling, vision and clinical edge.
That was clear in his time at Sheffield United where he lit up Bramall Lane, contributing towards 36 goals in 88 appearances.
The Senegalese international has signed a five-year deal at Everton which gives them the upper hand in any future deal if Ndiaye attracts suitors by performing anywhere near his potential.
Jesper Lindstrom
More attacking reinforcements came in the form of Jesper Linstrom, who arrived from Napoli on loan for the season.
The Dane had a difficult spell in Italy last term, failing to score for the club and finding playing time difficult to come by in his debut campaign.
Another addition to the Toffees wide options, Lindstrom has plenty of pace and attacking threat which was shown in his time at Eintracht Frankfurt where he starred in their 2022 Europa League win.
At 24, he fits the Everton model of bringing in talented players with room to improve. Especially with the fact that his deal has an option to become permanent at the end of it.
Jake O'Brien
Everton's most recent signing of this summer so far was the capture of Jake O'Brien from Lyon for £17m.
An impressive first and only season in France saw the Irishman make 32 appearances for the Ligue 1 outfit to help achieve Europa League qualification.
O'Brien is a rare type of defender for his age based on his presence and defensive awareness. His qualities extend yet further with an athleticism and calmness on the ball to go with his 6'6 frame.
The defender has already impressed during pre-season with the figure paid set to look a steal if he continues his predicted trajectory across his four-year stay at Goodison.
Harrison rejoins on loan
A piece of business that also proved important this summer was the resigning of Jack Harrison on a season-long loan.
Harrison made the move to Everton in the summer of 2023, following Leeds' relegation to the Championship after impressing in a difficult season at Elland Road.
The 27-year-old played his part in the Toffees survival last campaign as a hardworking presence out wide, in addition to contributing six goals in 33 league appearances.
Harrison's value to the Everton team is not only weighed in goals, having ranked higher than 80% of Premier League midfielders for progressive carries (2.64), crosses (3.29) and attempted take-ons (3.05) per 90 minutes.
His experience and work rate is needed to give some continuity to a side that will need time to gel going forwards.
As a trusted player in Dyche's system, it proved to be important that his stay was extended.
Areas of concern
Despite the positive signs from the incomings, there are still question marks over potential outgoings and how that will impact the remainder of Everton's transfer movements.
It was heavily anticipated that this summer would be a sell to buy one given that the club needed to recoup plenty of money to keep themselves out of financial punishment.
The strength of some positions may be based on increasing competition in those areas or potentially replacing players who could still leave ahead of the transfer deadline.
With that in mind, here's three areas of the team that might need reinforcing.
Up front
Despite the attacking incomings so far, the central striking berth has been a position of uncertainty with Everton's struggles in front of goal.
The futures of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto have been up in the air due to their failure to put a run of form or goals together.
Calvert-Lewin netted seven times in 32 league games during his first non-injury plagued season since the outstanding 20-goal haul across all competitions back in 2020/21.
Meanwhile, Beto could only hit the tally of five during in his first season in England, having failed to challenge his teammate for the starting spot.
Links to strikers have floated around all summer but one name that might do Everton good is Roma's Tammy Abraham, who is no stranger to scoring goals in England.
Abraham signed for the Serie A outfit from Chelsea for £35m back in 2021 and scored 37 times in 112 appearances, before a cruciate ligament injury saw him suffer eight months out last campaign.
The 26-year-old has been reportedly deemed surplus to requirements following the Giallorossi's summer additons, with Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport confirming Everton's interest in him.
Central midfield
Another area of the team that Everton should look at is central midfield, given the loss of Onana earlier in the window.
The aforementioned Iroegbunam will likely make an impact in there, but another midfielder with presence and quality would further ramp up the competition.
Linked with a switch to Goodison is Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Philips, who looks certain to be a bit part player based on his pre-season performances.
The 28-year-old has struggled for form since leaving Leeds two years ago, where he impressed many with his tenacity and creativity on the ball - the ingredients that are currently missing.
Deployed in either a deep-lying or box-to-box role, Philips suits Dyche's demands of an aggressive midfield despite lacking Onana's stature.
In reference to Everton's new recruitment policy, it might look a strange move given his age and the fact that the deal could be only a loan.
However, it could be the one that solidifies a key area and allows the younger stars to flourish.
Right-back
In comparison to the other positions, right-back is possibly less of a priority but still an area that needs to be looked at.
The age profile of both Ashley Young and Seamus Coleman combined with the £10m sale of Ben Godfrey to Atalanta leaves the Blues with issues there.
Everton only have two full-backs currently under the age of 30, with Nathan Patterson the sole right-footed one.
The Scottish international has struggled with injury ever since his arrival from Rangers back in January 2022, while failing to take the spot from from his more experienced counterparts.
Based on those concerns, it would seem that another full-back is needed to complete a solid defensive unit.
One name that has caught the eye of Everton is Hellas Verona's Jackson Thatchoua, who has also captured Marseille's interest this summer.
The 24-year-old made 26 Serie A appearances in his first season in Italy, impressing as a regular starter in a right or wing-back role.
According to reports, Everton have had a £7m bid knocked back by Verona who are holding out for £10m. It could prove to be a smart addition if the Blues do try again for his services.
Everton's look to the future signals some positive change in what's been an uncertain time in all aspects of the club.
If they can add depth to a few more areas then it would signal an encouraging window ahead of the new campaign.
