Summer that could see Blues kick on

IT will be a busy summer at Everton and the fun and games are already underway.

- By JOE THOMAS Everton FC Correspondent

On Saturday, the day before the summer transfer window had even opened, the Blues kickstarted their business by sealing the deal to make Carlos Alcaraz's loan move a permanent one.

It was an early foray in a busy summer pockmarked by key dates for club officials and supporters to be aware of.

This is how the calendar looks for the months ahead...

An extraordinary transfer window

A flurry of deals were confirmed fewer than seven days before the completion of the season in what is set to be a peculiar summer of activity.

As well as the Blues announcing Alcaraz, Liverpool have signed Jeremie Frimpong and Manchester United have secured a move for Matheus Cunha, a one-time target of Frank Lampard's Blues.

One of the reasons for the early business is the earlier-than-usual opening of the transfer window.

Rather than wait until mid-June, as standard, this year the dates have been brought forward to help clubs prepare for the Club World Cup that will take place in the USA later this month.