As the summer transfer window cranks up, so does the cranking out of connections with players to Everton, as the club pursues an aggressive transfer strategy in the market.
Frank Lampard has openly admitted he wants news faces before the season kicks off again in August, and it is clear where he needs them too - though the glib would say all over the pitch.
Lampard particularly wants a central defender, that much is clear, because he indicated as much to reporters who spoke to him at the end of the season, and it seems Everton are close to agreeing on a deal with England defender James Tarkowski, as Mirror Football reported last night.
Tarkowski is available on a free contract from Burnley when his contract expires on July 1, and though Everton have financial issues, they will offload players previously on big contracts this summer, with the likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson, Cenk Tosun and Fabian Delph all departing at the end of their huge deals.
That will free up serious funds to give Tarkowski close to the money he is looking for, with the defender thought to be seeking in the region of £5m a year, or £100,000 a week.
Newcastle are also in the running and can match any offer Everton make, but Tarkowski is Manchester born, and bar one short spell with Brentford, has spent most of his career in the north west.
Everton are confident they will sign Tarkowski to give Frank Lampard his first signing of the season, and they are also looking at a potential loan deal, according to various reports, to bring in Manchester United midfielder James Garner who is Merseyside born and was on loan at Nottingham Forest last season.
The rest depends on departures, which is a fluid situation, partly dependent on the back Everton will receive this summer from their sponsors, who of course include Alisher Usmanov, the Russian Oligarch who is currently blacklisted by the UK government.
But Richarlison is considering his future, and has admitted while on international duty this week he has held talks with Frank Lampard.
Here we look at a round up of all the potential options open to the manager, as he tries to wheel and deal in his attempt to freshen the squad, and also some good news on the stadium.
Richarlison will now consider his Everton future
The Brazilian is one of maybe three prize assets that Frank Lampard has got, and therefore one of the most saleable. Already he has been linked to Real Madrid, with his connection to their manager Carlo Ancelotti, who was of course the former Everton manager.
But back in Brazil, he has spoken to media covering the national team, and suggested he has already held talks with Lampard to say he is considering leaving. Madrid would obviously be a favoured destination, and Everton are unlikely to stand in his way if the price is right - though they would not let him go on the cheap.
Calvert-Lewin set to discuss his future
Before his injury cursed campaign last season, the striker was widely regarded as successor in line to Harry Kane in the England side, after he added goals to his impressive hold up play and mobility.
And there are still a list of clubs who would be interested in his services, with Newcastle, Manchester United and Arsenal all thought to be interested…and Everton aware of that interest.
It is understood the striker will hold talks with Lampard during the summer to discuss his position, and so far, hasn’t ruled out the prospect of a move. Everton though, have reiterated strongly they are ‘not sellers’, and would do as much as possible to resist his departure.
Finally, some good news on the Stadium
The first of four tower cranes has been fully installed at Bramley-Moore Dock, as the steel installation at Everton’s new stadium is put up.
The 60-metre high tower crane has been transported to the site in sections and has risen above the Mersey skyline during the last few days. It becomes the first of four tower cranes to be fully operational on the waterfront site from Monday. It is a huge step forward in the stadium development, allowing the emerging steelworks to be connected.
