Sign up for the big Everton stories from a fantastic season so far Get the newsletter Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

Everton director of football Marcel Brands has revealed that his thoughts are already turning to the January transfer window and next season.

The Dutchman only joined the Blues from PSV Eindhoven earlier this summer but rounded off a busy first window at Goodison Park by bringing in four signings on deadline day to take the total number of new faces in the playing squad to seven.

Last-gasp quartet Bernard, Yerry Mina, Andre Gomes and Kurt Zouma joined Richarlison, Lucas Digne and young goalkeeper Joao Virginia at the club.

Everton of course can still sell players to sides in other top European leagues whose windows remain open for the rest of this month – plus loan them to teams in the lower divisions – but Brands is already looking to the future.

Writing in Everton's matchday programme he said: “Everyone could see that it was a crazy last 24 hours to the window but I was very impressed by the support from the people behind the scenes – our legal, financial, football administration and medical teams, who all helped to make things happen. A big thanks to you all.

“The international window runs on through to the end of August and so from the beginning of September I will be meeting with all my scouts to start the planning for January and the 2019/20 season.”

(Image: Andrew Teebay)

Brands added: “I have been very impressed with the support that the team gets but that was no surprise to me.

“The Everton supporters are extremely passionate about their club and every time I go out for dinner I have them approaching me to ask about signings for the team!

“I like that, though, because it is their club and I always say that ultimately my job is to make the supporters proud of their football club.

“That is what we want, that is what we are all striving to achieve, to be successful and make the fans happy.

“That's the best reward for anyone involved in football.”