Everton announced Marco Silva as their new manager last week, and both he and director of football Marcel Brands will have already started making plans for the summer ahead in terms of recruitment.
With a hugely-inflated squad of 38, the Dutchman has already admitted that offloading players is a priority – one 6ft 1in tall Ronald Koeman signing has already formed them that he wants to go – before they bring new ones to Goodison Park, but there may well be some instances where they have to get an incoming deal done urgently.
One of those instances is the 2018 World Cup in Russia that gets underway next week, where many players – including potential Toffees targets – will put themselves in the shop window on the world stage, and potentially shine to allow their clubs to demand even more money for their services than they may have done previously to the tournament.
The Merseyside outfit have already been linked with a whole host of names this summer as they look to improve upon the eighth-place finish they secured in the Premier League in the 2018/19 campaign, and they could take a huge financial hit unless they get their business sorted swiftly and before June 14.
Here are three deals we think Everton and Brands have to complete before the World Cup starts…
It is unclear right now whether Rose will start for England in their opening World Cup group game against Tunisia given Ashley Young started ahead of him against Nigeria, as well as the fact he still seems to be suffering from a slight injury issue, but if he does he could easily shine in Gareth Southgate’s 3-4-2-1 system.
The likes of Manchester United and Chelsea could be in the market for a left-sided player this summer, and if the 27-year-old starts and enjoys an impressive tournament for the Three Lions, he may well be more likely to attract their glances.
Everton desperately need a new left-back this summer given Leighton Baines is getting no younger and is no longer able to get up and down the pitch like he once did, and the Toffees should look to get a deal over the line for Rose before the tournament starts so they can rest easy.
The Portugal international looks increasingly likely to leave Sporting Lisbon this summer – especially after some of the players were attacked by supporters at the club’s training ground last month – and Everton should look to bring him to Goodison Park as soon as possible to provide some much-needed protection in front of their backline.
The 26-year-old is likely to be a key player for his country at the World Cup, and Silva would be better off radiing his former team and bringing him to Merseyside before the tournament gets underway, rather than risking him being even more in demand following some impressive showings for the Euro 2016 winners.
With Germany, South Korea and Sweden in their World Cup group, Mexico will probably fancy their chances of reaching the knockout stages of the tournament at the very least, and Lozano could play a key role in his nation doing that.
The 22-year-old enjoyed a brilliant debut campaign for Marcel Brands’ former club PSV Eindhoven, scoring 19 goals and providing a further 11 assists in 34 appearances in all competitions.
There is no doubt that he could add something to the Everton frontline, but given the big impact he could make in Russia, Brands needs to ensure that reunites with the Mexican attacker before the competition gets underway.
Do you agree, Toffees fans? Let us know below.