THE FA Cup final already seems a long time ago now, as preparations begin for next season. Everton have secured Joseph Yobo, Tim Howard and Phil Jagielka on extended deals and there is also talk of Steven Pienaar signing an improved contract too.

As ever, these stories tend to develop in a convoluted manner, with the little South African politely answering questions about Spanish football and stressing that he is happy at Everton, which was then mischievously interpreted as a ‘come and get me plea’ to Atletico Madrid.

There is a feeling that many of the transfer stories concerning Everton are just rehashed ones from last summer, so perhaps someone somewhere has simply substituted Pienaar’s name for Mikel Arteta’s, seeing as the injured Spanish schemer tends be on the brink of a move to the Spanish capital’s second club every time the transfer window opens.

Once again Rennes’ Stephane M’Bia seems to think he’s got an open invitation to join Everton, and if the Cameroon international plays as well as he talks then David Moyes is mad not to move heaven and earth to bring him to Goodison.

It all seems to have gone very quiet with regards to Joao Moutinho, however, although no doubt there will be more talk soon of delegations heading back over to Lisbon to try and sign the Sporting captain.

It’s been said before, but after Everton have been linked with him for so long that he really will have to be some player to live up to the expectations should he ever actually move to Merseyside.

A more realistic target, perhaps, is Leeds United’s Fabian Delph. He’s young and seems to tick all the boxes in terms of what Everton need in a midfield that relies too heavily for creativity on Arteta and Pienaar – the only thing he lacks is Premier League experience, although when it comes to taking players from lower divisions, Moyes has a great track record.