Everton officials jet away on new transfer mission days after deadline

Everton are still reeling from the disappointment that was the summer transfer window.

It started well for the Toffees, with Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George turning their loan spells into permanent stays.

Hayden Hackney and Christian Norgaard followed, with David Moyes relatively happy with the foundations put in place.

But, as the window dragged on, real cracks started to appear at Hill Dickinson Stadium.

They all exploded on transfer deadline day, with Iliman Ndiaye's cheap exit for £60million kicking things off.

Adam Aznou, Nathan Patterson and Beto also left that week, with Ainsley Maitland-Niles and Jack Grealish signing on.

It simply wasn't enough in the end.

What action have Everton taken already?

With less than 20 senior players available, the Blues are so desperately undercooked.

Any injuries could be a real issue, so one eye simply has to be on January already, it's just the position they've put themselves in.

With that in mind, scouts have already been spotted.

A Bola reports in its print edition on Wednesday that Everton officials were in attendance for Manchester City against Porto in the Champions League.

The Portuguese newspaper states that 18 clubs were present in total, with other Premier League sides including Nottingham Forest, Ipswich and Manchester United.

While no mention of who they were watching, maybe they are finally being proactive, days after they were meant to be exactly that.

Where do Everton need to strengthen?

It's a very long list.

Starting with where they only have one senior option available, there are three clear positions that are the priorities.

Thierno Barry carries a huge burden as the only available striker, and given his inconsistency, it's not helping anyone.

Then there's full-back, at both sides.

Vitaliy Mykolenko has not been good enough for years now, yet he has a new contract and is the only available left-back.

Go to the other side, and a genuine right-back hasn't filled that spot in years either, with several options, like Rohl, playing out of position.

After Maitland-Niles introduced himself with that rocket against Man United on Sunday, he should get the role to himself now.

That's just three critical positions, there are so many more issues that need solving, but for now, work on those.