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The clock is ticking.

With less than two weeks to go until the new Premier League season, Ronald Koeman'sEverton masterplan is taking shape.

We knew that this would be a summer of change at Goodison, and we haven't been disappointed. Eleven new signings, seven of them for the first team, and an unprecedented spending spree has made this the most intriguing transfer window ever, as far as Blues fans are concerned.

It's not finished, either. Koeman confirmed on Wednesday that he is seeking to bring in at least three more players before the end of August.

Everton, then, could finish the summer having spent close to £200m on new faces. Mind bending stuff.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, we know, will be the next arrival if Koeman, Steve Walsh and Farhad Moshiri get their way. Movement on the Swansea's midfielder is expected this week.

Central defensive cover is also wanted, the need heightened by Ramiro Funes Mori's ongoing knee issue.

Of greater significance, though, will be the recruitment of a new, frontline centre forward, as Koeman continues to reshape his side following the departure of Romelu Lukaku.

Top of the list is Olivier Giroud. Everton believe they have a chance of landing the Arsenal striker, despite competition from across Europe. Like with Sigurdsson, this is likely to be a defining week in that chase.

He wouldn't provide the pace so patently lacking during Thursday's Europa League win over MFK Ruzomberok, but Giroud, were he to arrive, would represent a shrewd addition by Koeman. Especially at a reported price of £20m or thereabouts.

(Image: David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Though something of a lightning rod for criticism at times - but then who isn't, at Arsenal? - the Frenchman is a proven Premier League marksman, and there are not many of those available at the moment.

His five seasons at the Emirates have brought 98 goals, including 13 in the Champions League. At international level, meanwhile, he has 27 in 64 caps. Not always elegant, but often effective, Giroud is a line-leading striker with touch, awareness and the ability and selflessness to connect with those around him.

Indeed, Everton themselves have fallen foul of the 30-year-old on more than one occasion in the past.

Koeman, it appears, wants to build a side capable of sharing the goalscoring burden. For that he needs a centre forward able to create as well as score; Giroud, with 27 league assists at Arsenal, fits the bill in that regard. Remember Graziano Pelle at Southampton, and the job he did for Koeman?

Though an extra injection of speed and penetration would be welcome – Everton's wide options are worryingly limited heading into the campaign – the presence of Sigurdsson, Wayne Rooney, Sandro Ramirez and Davy Klaassen would offer reassurance in terms of goals.

Giroud, if he were to follow, would merely add to the options. Not the most exciting signing Everton could make, perhaps, and not one for the long term either, but a pretty good one nonetheless.