Hold tight, Everton's transfer activity is set to kick into gear in the coming weeks

THIS time last year, Everton was buzzing with business.

- By JOE THOMAS

Desperate to comply with financial regulations for the first time in three years, the club went into the final week of the football fiscal year with work to do.

Unlike in previous years, when the Blues' vulnerability was exploited by Premier League rivals, 12 months ago the club was part of a cluster of teams concerned about their standing in relation to the Premier League's Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) and willing to work together to help each other.

It was against that backdrop that the moves with Aston Villa unfolded, separate deals seeing the clubs each buy a young prospect from the other - Tim Iroegbunam heading to Merseyside and Lewis Dobbin in the other direction.

Ben Godfrey was also sold to Atalanta in another pre-June 30 move that boosted the coffers enough for another points deduction to be avoided.

Finch Farm has, so far, been quieter this year.

There has been some business done - Everton moved quickly to seal a permanent deal for Carlos Alcaraz after the Argentine was the architect of two of the three wins that sent the club into the summer on the crest of a wave of momentum.

Talks have opened with Jarrad Branthwaite's representatives in the hope of moving towards a new deal that better reflects his importance to the club, while work to bring Kenny Tete in on a free transfer when his Fulham contract expires is advanced.