Blues transfers could go down to the wire as Moyes faces issues

The weekend defeat to Bournemouth highlighted Everton's lack of squad depth

- By JOE THOMAS

EVERTON hope to make progress in the transfer market over the coming weeks but David Moyes’ squad rebuild is expected to go into the final days of the summer.

The Blues pushed each of the last two windows to the final minutes - requiring additional time to complete loan deals that brought in Armando Broja last summer and Carlos Alcaraz in February.

The hope is that a frantic finale to the next deadline day can be avoided, though CEO Angus Kinnear has urged supporters to postpone judgement until September 2, the day after business closes.

Despite the request for patience, no-one at the club is in any doubt more work needs to be done, with the teamsheet for the US tour opener against Bournemouth having laid bare the difference that still exists between Everton and one of the clubs they would like to catch.

Despite being without James Tarkowski, Jarrad Branthwaite and Michael Keane due to injury, Everton produced a positive opening 45 minutes to the Premier League's Summer Series tournament in New Jersey.

The strength of their opponents became clear in the second half, however. Andoni Iraola was able to turn to the likes of Antoine Semenyo, who hit 11 goals in the league last year, and Philip Billing, who was sent on loan to Napoli where he won Serie A, from his 14-strong bench.

Moyes had nine players in his dugout, including Under-18s winger Justin Clarke and fellow academy prospects Aled Thomas and Isaac Heath.

After the 3-0 defeat, he acknowledged it had been a struggle to field a team.

Building a squad fit for the new era at Everton has proved difficult.

Progress has been made, with Mark Travers joining from Bournemouth to act as Jordan Pickford’s understudy and Alcaraz being signed on a permanent deal.

France U21s striker Thierno Barry become the fourth addition after Everton reached a deal in the region of £7.8m for the Bayern Munich left-back.