David Moyes has played down Everton’s interest in Yakubu Aiyegbeni after the striker was left out of the Middlesbrough squad to face Fulham.
Yakubu has been linked with a move away from The Riverside this summer, despite claims that he is happy at the club.
Reports also suggest he is closing in on a move to Goodison Park, although Moyes refused to confirm the speculation.
“We’ve got an interest in one or two players,” Moyes said when quizzed about the possibility of Yakubu moving to Everton.
“The board have been terrific, but we are seeing now if we want Everton to compete, they are going to have to give us some form of tools.
“Not that they haven’t in the past, because you only have to look at the players that they have allowed me to bring in – the likes of Tim Cahill, Tim Howard and Joleon Lescott – to see they have already done that.
“Now we feel it’s time to have another go to get ourselves in amongst the top, now is the time.
“Again, we are still looking to strengthen and who knows what name it might be when it comes around.”
One player expected to complete a move to Everton is Benfica midfielder Manuel Fernandes.
The Portuguese Under-21 international enjoyed a successful loan spell with Everton last season, and he looks set to complete a permanent move within the next 24 hours.
“Manuel had the first part of his medical yesterday and that will be completed today,” said Moyes.
“I would then expect him to become an Everton player within the next 24 hours.
“Manuel was with us on loan last season, so he knows all about us and we hope he will be able to hit the ground running when he arrives.
“He knows about us and what we do, he will give us a different option. We are playing with Lee Carsley and Phil Neville just now in the centre of midfield and he will give us more competition there.
“But he is a different type of player, with a bit more craft. At 21 he was a big player in the European Under-21 Championships for Portugal and we are delighted to have him.”
