Hello and welcome to our Thursday Blues blog for all your very latest Everton news, rumours and transfer gossip.
The ECHO will provide breaking stories, reaction and comment to all the big talking points from Goodison Park - as well as keeping tabs on transfer market gossip from around the world.
We will also bring you build-up to tonight's game against Southampton.
Everton vs Southampton LIVE
We are switching over to our matchday live blog as the Blues take on the Saints.
Follow us for all the action including early team news, score updates, commentary and post-match analysis.
See you over there.
Everton line-ups
Here's how our writers think Everton will line up against Southampton this evening.
Everton linked with Napoli duo
Now this won't be the first time you've heard Everton being linked with players from Carlo Ancelotti's former club Napoli...
But reports in Italy are suggesting the Blues are interested in Hirving Lozano and Allan.
According to Corriere del Mezzogiorno via Sport Witness, Everton reportedly made an enquiry for Lozano in January.
The report suggests that despite the fact the rumoured move did not come off during the winter break the Blues could 'revive their interest' this summer.
Allan is also claimed to be 'under consideration' by Ancelotti after a €20m bid for the midfielder was reportedly made in January.
Everton Women announce signing
Another signing for Willie Kirk's side as Norwegian international Ingrid Moe Wold signs for the club.
Everton Women will look to build on their sixth-place finish last season going into the 2020/21 campaign.
Welcome, Ingrid!
Aiming for Europe
Jordan Pickford has confirmed the Everton squad are still aiming for a European spot this season.
The Blues have just five games left to play and are seven points off seventh place with a game in hand.
And speaking aged of tonight's clash with Southampton, Pickford is adamant they will keep fighting for a place in the Europa League.
The England goalkeeper told the club's official website: "We want to achieve the end goal of getting into Europe - that’s our aim and that’s what the manager wants for us as well.
“Seven points from the first three games since the restart was great and we wanted to build on that against Spurs. We could have nicked something but they were a hard team to break down.
“We just need to keep going. Southampton have got very good players and a lot of them are hitting form.
“It’s going to be a tough test but we’ve got to be on our A-game and I feel we’ve got the depth in the squad to get the result.”
Who wants to be a millionaire?
Who wants to be a millionaire down under.
Great spot from our Aussie friends.
Just if this fella was a Blue he would be a lot richer right now!
Leon Osman urges patience
Leon Osman has urged patience among supporters, and said how the project to improve Everton's squad will not be an 'overnight job'.
Speaking to the Football Daily podcast, cited by This Is Futbol, Osman explained what he thinks Marcel Brands and Carlo Ancelotti will be able to achieve as the Blues look to move forward.
I think the fact that he’s (Brands) now linked up with Carlo Ancelotti, the players that Everton can now be linked with will be the ones that can take the club forward and improve on what Everton have got.
That’s got to be the goal. It’s going to be a slow process, it takes years. I speak to people at Everton and when Manchester City were taken over by their money, it took them six or seven seasons and three or four sets of players that came in and out.
And all of that went successfully well and all of that was financially backed to the hilt, but it still took them that many seasons to become the success juggernaut that they are.
As an Evertonian, [I am] hopeful that could potentially happen to Everton, but it’s not an overnight job – not by any stretch of the imagination.
Gabriel blow
Everton have been handed a potential blow in any rumoured pursuit of Lille defender Gabriel as an anonymous English club have reportedly made a bid.
Carlo Ancelotti backed
Carlo Ancelotti has explained that he will be backed financially this summer as he looks to improve the Everton squad he inherited in December.
The boss told: “I have assurances from the board that we are going to improve the squad.
“We need good players and the players that we are going to sign will be good players.
“It doesn’t matter whether they are young or old; with experience or without experience. It is important to have good players."
Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg blow
Reports are suggesting Tottenham lead the race for rumoured Everton transfer target Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
The Southampton midfielder has according to The Times been replaced as captain by Ralph Hassenhuttl after 'failing to agree a contract extension' - with just one year left to run on his Saints deal.
They also state Spurs are in pole position to acquire Hojbjerg despite Ajax having recently entered the race.
A report from Football Insider (cited here) suggests Jose Mourinho's side have held preliminary talks with the player who they could snap up for a rumoured £20m.
The Blues had long been linked with the 24-year-old Dane but they've been dealt a blow following these reports which claim Tottenham are looking most likely to sign Hojbjerg.
Andre Gomes form
The midfielder certainly struggled against Tottenham.
Here David Alexander Hughes takes a closer look at Andre Gomes' form.
Analysing Everton
If you haven't listened to this podcast then it is worth giving it a go.
A great and insightful listen.
Good Morning
Hello and welcome to today’s Everton live blog from the Liverpool ECHO.
We will have all the latest news, transfer rumours and build-up to the clash against Southampton later today.
