Revved up for CAR

BLUES HOPE FOR SWIFT CONCLUSION TO SIGN ALCARAZ AND GANA LOOKS LIKELY TO STAY

- JOE THOMAS

EVERTON were always set for a busy summer and the post-season has begun with a flurry of big decisions.

The futures of Carlos Alcaraz, Idrissa Gueye and Liam Delap appear all-but decided less than one week after the final round of Premier League fixtures.

Further work needs to be done in the coming days, with the club still yet to confirm the fate of several out-of-contract players.

But there has been no hangover from Sunday's win over Newcastle United and the emotion of the final weeks of a rollercoaster campaign.

Talks with Brazilian side Flamengo have left the Blues on the cusp of making Alcaraz their first signing of the summer-and the first permanent senior men's team addition since The Friedkin Group became owners in December.

The loanee needed time to convince David Moyes he should be part of his vision for the future but his form at the end of the campaign - in which he was key to stunning victories at Fulham then Newcastle made the 22-year-old irresistible, particularly when he was available for just over £12m.

While the deal is yet to be finalised, Everton entered the weekend hopeful of completion before the expiration of the club's exclusivity period.