Everton had a net spend of £97m last summer – the highest the Toffees have ever recorded in a single summer transfer window.
The Friedkin Group backed David Moyes with the £40m signing of Tyler Dibling, who has unfortunately made just four Premier League starts this term, while £27m was also spent on Thierno Barry.
A further £28m went on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
By the sounds of it, Everton are now looking to start the upcoming summer transfer window on a different foot, with two free transfers being targeted in Kieran Trippier and Diogo Leite.
Everton need a transfer budget of at least _________ this summer
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Everton targeting Diogo Leite amid Kieran Trippier talks
Record in Portugal now state that Everton are in the mix to sign Leite after he chose to leave Union Berlin, rather than sign a new contract.
The former Porto centre-back made 23 appearances in the Bundesliga this term, helping Union Berlin finish 11th in his final season with the German side.
Record believe Leite now wants a new challenge, and has interest from Everton – along with Eintracht Frankfurt, Real Sociedad and Besiktas.
It comes after TEAMtalk claimed Everton are in talks to sign Trippier on a free transfer.
Leite is a left-footed central defender, a weapon Moyes does not have in his squad other than Jarrad Branthwaite, who is prone to injuries if overworked.
So, if Everton sign the Portuguese defender, he could be used as a rotational option to keep Branthwaite fresh.
The Friedkin Group seem keen not to spend a transfer fee on a new centre-back based on reports elsewhere.
John Stones is also under consideration by Everton after Manchester City announced the England international will be leaving at the end of the season.
Marco Senesi has also been linked with a move to the Hill Dickinson Stadium, another defender who is heading for free agency at the end of the campaign, having opted to depart Bournemouth.
Do Everton still need to add a new centre-back this summer? 🤔
Hopefully, this is just The Friedkin Group adopting a frugal approach – and doesn’t point to a lack of cash in the summer transfer budget.
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