David Moyes finds himself grappling with the long shadow of Everton's transfer history as he attempts to steer the club away from relegation trouble and back toward the European ambitions once associated with Goodison Park.
The Toffees' recruitment strategy has long been a source of frustration for supporters, and the numbers underline why. During Farhad Moshiri's tenure as owner, eight players who had each cost the club at least £20million eventually departed for nothing, a damning indictment of the club's approach to the market during that period.
Since then, ownership has changed hands, with the Friedkin Group taking charge and bringing in nine new signings last summer as part of a strategy geared toward youth. So far, that approach has produced mixed results. Jack Grealish and Kieran Dewsbury-Hall have settled well and made positive impacts, but the same cannot be said for every arrival.
Winger Tyler Dibling, a £35million recruit from Southampton, has managed only six starts, raising questions about his integration into Moyes' plans. Fellow youngster Adam Aznou, signed from Bayern Munich, has yet to make his Premier League debut for the club, leaving his top-flight bow still awaited.
Elsewhere, striker Barry endured a season of contrasts in his first Premier League campaign. The 23-year-old topped the aerial duels charts among all Everton players, showcasing his physical presence, yet struggled with consistency when it came to finding the net. Midfielder Merlin Rohl, 24, also had a slow start to the campaign in terms of playing time before finally making his mark with four impressive starts in May.
Amid the broader questions over recruitment, there is encouraging news regarding Grealish's immediate future. According to BBC Radio Merseyside reporter Giulia Bould, the influential midfielder is expected to return to Everton on loan again toward the back end of the current transfer window, once he has recovered from a stress fracture in his foot. His significant £200,000-a-week wages are anticipated to remain unchanged as part of any renewed loan arrangement.
Meanwhile, uncertainty surrounds the future of Iliman Ndiaye, who has attracted interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia. His potential departure would represent a significant blow to Moyes' squad depth and creativity.
Former Everton defender Leon Osman, who made his debut for the club under Moyes during the manager's first spell in charge back in 2003, offered his perspective on both situations. Speaking on the prospect of Grealish's return, Osman said he would be happy to see the England international back at Goodison Park, but only under financial terms that work in Everton's favor.
On the subject of Ndiaye, Osman was more emphatic about the need to keep hold of the forward. "I'd hate to lose him," he said, acknowledging that circumstances could eventually arise where a sale makes sense financially. "There may come a point that the price is right and Everton can reinvest in two or three players, but I think they should do everything they can to keep him."
As Moyes attempts to rebuild momentum and restore Everton's competitive edge, the coming transfer window looks set to be a pivotal period. Balancing the development of promising but inconsistent young talent with the need to retain key performers like Ndiaye will test both the manager and the club's revamped recruitment philosophy under the Friedkin Group.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.