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Everton will be “very busy” trying to secure signings this week, says Erwin Koeman.

The Blues have yet to sign an outfield player this summer with goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg the only new arrival since Ronald Koeman took charge in mid-June.

Everton kick off their Premier League campaign at home to Spurs in less than two weeks and the manager wants to bolster his squad with new faces.

The transfer window does not shut until the end of August but Blues No.2 Erwin suggests the club will step up their efforts to sign players this week.

“Ronald and the chairman are very busy with that,” he said.

But either way, Everton’s new assistant manager insists that there will be no excuses for the squad not being fit and ready for the season’s curtain raiser at Goodison on August 13.

The Blues finished their short stay in Germany with a penalty shoot-out defeat to Real Betis in the Dresden Cup after a 1-1 draw in normal time.

On Wednesday night, Koeman takes his side to Old Trafford to play against Manchester United in Wayne Rooney’s testimonial before they welcome Espanyol to Merseyside for their final warm-up game of the summer.

“Some players made their first minutes here and they need more time,” Erwin said.

“We can talk about a lot of things but in two weeks the league starts and we have to be ready.

“There is no excuse for that.

“It’s for us but all the other teams too.

“Not one team in the Premier League is ready for the moment. In two weeks the circus will start.”

Asked if some of Everton’s squad were struggling to cope with the change in style implemented by his brother Ronald, Erwin said: “It’s different for players.

“They are used to playing of the way of Martinez and now we have to play the way Ronald likes.

“That is not always easy.

“Of course you have some players who start late. It takes time but we know in two weeks we have to perform.”