With the squad now well into pre-season training, things are starting to hot up on the transfer front and Everton could add some new signings to that of Jo in the next week or two.

Jo on a season long loan is a good signing I think, considering it was free and that he did relatively well for us in the second half of last season. I think I said this last term but my main criticism is that he only plays well and scores goals against inferior teams, at Goodison Park. That should still see him score a few goals for us this season then, just as he did last season.

I expect Saha and Yakubu to be our main strikers, and given a good pre-season, I'd like to see James Vaughan get a run in what could be a pivotal season for him. So with Jo to come in as well, we seem well covered in that area - as long as at least two of them can stay fit all season!

Another new name is that of Anton Peterlin, who impressed on trial last season and has been rewarded with a 12 month deal. Let's be honest nobody knows anything about the lad, who signed from Ventura County Fusion, who operate in the fourth tier of US football. Everton were apparently impressed with his attitude and ability, and he plays as a defensive midfielder.

It's another deal that involves little or no gamble from Everton given the lack of a fee and if it works out great, if not, no harm done. It could be another masterstroke by Moyes though, who of course has done well with signings from lower leagues. Let's see.

Luke Garbutt has also signed from Leeds United - a 16 year old highly-rated left-back. We won't see much of him for a while but it could be a very good signing for the future and we certainly seem to have a good crop of young players coming through.

So Moyes hasn't actually spent any money yet and it isn't clear if he has much to throw around but it seems that plenty of bids are being made if the papers are to be believed.

One signing which could be imminent is that of Kyle Naughton, a highly-rated right-back from Sheffield United. The fee has been agreed and could be anything from £4-6 million, although it seems that Tottenham will also get the chance to speak to the player as well. You'd have to imagine that Everton could be the more attractive prospect to him though.

Obviously I would say that but the club have stability, are moving forward and have proven willing to give early opportunities to young players. Spurs will splash the cash around like they do every summer but there's always the risk of them sacking the manager and starting again at some point.

If he does sign, he looks a good prospect. Good on the ball and loves getting forward, he's highly-rated by those in the game so let's hope he agrees terms.

Elsewhere, a lot of our transfer activity could hinge on the outcome of whether Lescott joins Manchester City. If they do come in for him, it's hard to imagine he'll turn down the chance to double or even treble his pay. In that case it seems that we might go for Christopher Samba from Blackburn who has always looked a good player to me. We could also start the season with Rodwell at centre-back though.

If Lescott doesn't go, I can't see us moving for a centre-back. Moyes seems intent on getting the box-to-box, game controlling midfielder that we've been wanting to sign for the last few seasons. Steven Defour has again been mentioned and apparently we've had at least one bid turned down for him. Moutinho has again been linked but I can't see that coming off. I'd be made up if we can get Defour but let's see. Players like Reo-Coker have also been muted as possible signings and I also expect Moyes to go for winger.

One midfielder I'm glad we didn't sign though is Stephen M'Bai. The lad says something different in the media every day. One day he was signing for Everton, the next he only had eyes for Marseilles and at one point he even saw his future at Stoke City! Apparently he has now gone to Marseille and immediately after signing, has told everyone that they're only a stepping stone for him and that the English clubs should come back in 12 months. Just what you want to hear from your new signing!

Whatever happens though let's hope we aren't sat here on the internet on transfer deadline day refreshing pages to see if we've finally got the player we wanted! This time around it should be less of a problem if the signings don't work out in time for the start of the season as it looks quite likely that we'll hold onto our top players (but of course there's a question mark over Lescott).

The side which finished 5th last season should be more than capable of making a good start and avoiding the repeat of last season. But if we're to really kick on, we need to keep those players and also make 2-3 top quality signings which can really improve the squad and give us a good chance of breaking into that top four.