The areas Everton could strengthen before Deadline Day’s close

With just over 24 hours to go until the transfer window slams shut, all Premier League teams are knuckling down and endeavouring to finish any business they have started.

Everton have had a steady transfer market; so far, bringing in four first-team players in Maarten Stekelenburg, Idrissa Gueye, Ashley Williams and Yannick Bolasie.

It is fair to say that Everton fans have been impressed by Ronald Koeman’s wise spending, but which parts of the squad should the Dutch boss still look to strengthen before tomorrow night..?

1. Striker

As an Everton fan, I think it is of a paramount importance that another striker arrives at the club before the end of the summer transfer window.

Keeping Romelu Lukaku at Goodison Park is the single most important bit of business completed by Koeman, but it is not enough. If Lukaku was to stay fit all season, then he could, without a doubt, spearhead our attack without a problem.

However, if the prolific frontman was to pick up an injury or suspension, the other options are sparse. Arouna Koné is nowhere near consistent enough to play week in, week out and Oumar Niasse’s name is scoffed at every day in Liverpool. These two forwards are simply not good enough Premier League back-up.

Star striker Lukaku scored 25 goals in all competitions for the Toffees last term – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

When Lukaku was struggling for match fitness at the start of the season, Koeman plumped for Gerard Deulofeu up front. The Spaniard played well, but kept drifting out wide which highlighted that he prefers the wing position. If Lukaku was to struggle for fitness or form, it would bring the whole Toffees’ side down.

The club have been linked with Manchester City’s Wilfried Bony, who would be a first class signing and the prospect of him partnering Lukaku up front is thrilling. Aside from that, there aren’t too many rumours being thrown about so all Everton fans can do is hope that Koeman has something up his sleeve!

2. Full-Back

Everton has always been a club that produces full-backs of the highest calibre. Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines have set a perfect example for young, emerging players such as Brendan Galloway and Luke Garbutt, but now the club seem thin on the ground for back-up for its two major defensive starts.

Galloway has joined West Brom on loan and Garbutt left a long time ago now.

This leaves the Toffees in a very similar situation as they have up-front. If either Baines or Coleman was to be ruled out with an injury or suspension, all that Koeman has to fill in are Ramiro Funes Mori and Tyias Browning, who are both centre-backs at heart.

Furthermore, if the new manager continues to play with three centre-backs, then the full-backs are of a great importance when going forward and, hence, having multiple options is key.

Worryingly, there seems to be little in the pipe line, but Koeman should be looking to strengthen in this position.

Everton have been linked with a move for Manchester United midfielder Mata – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

3. Attacking-Midfielder

Whilst Ross Barkley has been playing out of his skin so far this season and the plethora of wide-men at Koeman’s disposal have also been performing well, there is still space, I believe, for a creative midfielder.

Everton only created a total of 360 chances last term, only two more than AFC Bournemouth and 140 less of Tottenham who topped that chart with 500. Thanks to Koeman’s work so far, the Toffees boast a dynamism going forward, but could do with a midfielder who can ping passes across the park with ease.

Idrissa Gueye, Gareth Barry and James McCarthy are fantastic ball-winners, but don’t move the ball forwards as well as other players in the league.

A couple weeks ago the club was heavily linked with Juan Mata who would have been perfect at doing just this. However, those rumours have quickly died out as Mata seems to have a part to play at United under Jose Mourinho.

A striker and full-back are more pressing matters, but a creative midfielder certainly wouldn’t go a miss!