David Moyes wants a Everton squad overhaul before the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season.
Moyes' return to Merseyside in January had a galvanising effect on the team, as the veteran boss steered them away them relegation, ahead of their move to Bramley Moore Dock.
However, he's been clear in his assessment of major investment being needed to bring Everton back into the top half of the table in 2025/26, with 'nine or ten new signings' the target.
"Well, we've signed three, so if you take that off, we're still in need of maybe five or six players. That's what we have to try and do..
"I've never had one of these times. In the past I've had to sign a lot of players, but I've never had to do so many in one window."
The three new players Moyes refers to are the permanent signing of Carlo Alcaraz - following his loan spell last season - with Thierno Barry joining from La Liga side Villarreal and Mark Travers arriving as back up to Jordan Pickford.
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Moyes' determination to bring in more players is balanced against some key summer exits with Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Ashly Young and Abdoulaye Doucoure all moving on as free agents.
The Toffees are closing in on a deal for Bayern Munich's Adam Aznou, to provide competition at left back, with Lyon's Malick Fofana on Moyes' radar to improve his attack.
However, the main focus is on a experienced midfielder to fill the Doucoure gap and Douglas Luiz has taken a step towards a Premier League return.
Douglas Luiz's Juventus contract, transfer value, Everton latest
Brazil international Luiz is rumoured to be pushing for a move back to England after a mixed debut season at Juventus.
The 28-year-old headed for Turin last summer, after five Premier League seasons at Aston Villa, but he's struggled to make a consistent impact in Italy.
His ever-present role at Villa saw him miss just 13 Premier League games across five years and Moyes has highlighted him as the perfect candidate for his evolving engine room.
Everton are confident of wrapping up a deal for around £33m, with Luiz under contract at Juventus until 2029, but they will need to move quickly.
West Ham United have also been linked with an offer, and a move from the Hammers could drive Luiz's valuation up, with Juventus in a strong negotiating position due to his lengthy contract.
Reports from Football Italia claim Luiz and his representatives will sit down for talks in the coming days after he missed a preseason return deadline.
Luiz could be fined 5% of his salary after failing to report for duty on July 23, but that will not sour Everton, as they await an update from Turin.
Juventus could still push for a season-long loan, with an option to buy next summer and Luiz will now resume training, as he aims for a full preseason programme.