Everton’s pre-season has started and the first friendly of the summer is just over a week away.
The squad underwent testing on Friday as most of the players returned from the summer break. They included new signing Carlos Alcaraz and Jarrad Branthwaite and Seamus Coleman, both fresh from having agreed new contracts.
Michael Keane also turned up for duty ahead of the confirmation he had signed a 12 month deal that will take him into a ninth season in Royal Blue.
That agreement came after both he and the club took some time to assess the market with Everton, [as the ECHO reported yesterday](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/david-moyes-intervened-after-everton-32001772), going so far as to line up a replacement for the 32-year-old.
David Moyes pushed for the Blues to re-engage with Keane before the deal was formally signed off and the new deal announced on Friday was reached.
The question now turns to who else will be in that squad when Moyes leads his side out against Accrington Stanley. Idrissa Gueye is likely to be among them, with his new deal yet to be announced but the club confident he will be part of the first season at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Will he have a new midfield partner in Douglas Luiz, the Juventus star rumoured to be of interest to Everton in the Italian media? We’ll seek answers on that question while also providing updates on Thierno Barry. There is a growing sense the Villarreal forward will become the second summer signing after the clubs advanced in talks last week.
10:39Matt C Jones
Douglas Luiz's name was frequently linked with the Blues over the weekend.
It was reported by Matte Moretto that Everton were one of a number of clubs keen on the Juventus midfielder. Fulham and Manchester United have also been named as options.
The same three clubs were mentioned by Gazetta dello Sport too, with Luiz seemingly surplus to requirements in Turin.
Now 27, the playmaker had five excellent seasons with Aston Villa before his move to Italy. Last season, following a £40 million move to Juventus, he only played 19 times in Serie A due to struggles with form and fitness.
Douglas Luiz of Juventus (Image: Eston Parker/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)
10:22Matt C Jones
Good morning Evertonians.
Another week begins as build-up to the new season ramps up. Training, transfers and contracts could all be on the agenda on Monday.
Let's get going...