Roberto Martinez has told talkSPORT he expects Everton to finalise deals for ‘three or four’ players in the next few days.

The only Toffees arrival so far this summer has been Gareth Barry, the midfielder penning a thee-year contract after a successful loan spell last season.

But Martinez has assured supporters a host of signings are imminent.

Speaking on the Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast, the Spaniard said: “The main priority was to have continuity in what we did last season. We have had a few players signing extensions and we got Gareth Barry becoming a permanent signing, which was huge for us.

“In the next couple of days we will have a few players coming in because it was important for me to assess the youngsters.

“The youngsters have done terrific and are showing the good work we are doing in the academy at Finch Farm, but there are areas that need to be strengthened and over the next few days we are going to get the three, four players we need just to finalise the squad facing the huge demands with European football ahead of us.”

Martinez declined to reveal whether Romelu Lukaku will be one of the new arrivals, but makes no secret of his desire to see the Belgian return to Goodison Park.

The powerful young hitman was a huge hit on loan last season, and Chelsea are understood to be ready to let him go.

“Rom fits in really, really well at Goodison,” said Martinez. “We created a fantastic bond with the player and the player with the fans and that is something that we would love to extend.

“It is difficult to say because he is not our player and I would never be disrespectful in that respect. He enjoyed his time at Everton, he developed as a footballer and we hope the parent club, Chelsea, were very happy with that loan relationship.

“Whatever happens in the future, at the moment there is not much we can speak about.”