Everton manager Roberto Martinez hinted that the Merseyside side were unlikely to make any major signings ahead of the new Premier League season, which begins on Aug. 8.

The Spanish-born boss was speaking in Singapore before his club's opening match of the Barclays Asia Trophy against Stoke City on Wednesday night.

Last summer, Everton signed Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku for a five-year contract, worth a record fee of £28 million but Martinez says a similar deal wasn't on the cards.

"At the moment we're just looking to build on what we've done in the last four [transfer] windows," Martinez said.

"I think now we've got a really strong group, We've probably got the most exciting youngsters that you're going to see in the league, we've got exceptional leaders and players with an incredible experience and at the best moment of their careers. I think that mixture is perfect."

Earlier this month, Everton signed former Barcelona winger Gerard Deulofeu, who had a loan spell with them in the 2013-14 season, for a reported fee of £4.2 million.

A few days earlier, the club had secured the services of midfielder Tom Cleverley, who moved to Goodison Park on a free transfer from Manchester United after spending last season on loan at Aston Villa.

But Martinez added that he was open to strengthening the squad before the transfer window closes at the end of August for the right price.

"Yes we're going to use the window until the very last day because there is a couple of positions we need to strengthen, but the focus goes into the players we already have," he said.

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Captain Phil Jagielka said that Everton were desperate to start their campaign well after last year's struggles.

"We let ourselves down at times last season and shot ourselves in the foot," he said. "This season we want to finish in the European qualifying positions -- we want to get back into Europe sooner rather than later."

After last season's 11th placed finish, Martinez admitted that he felt the weight of expectations for a much improved Everton campaign."

"Our target is to start well because we play the top seven clubs from last season in the first 10 weeks," he said.

"We need to be winning games and challenging for titles. There's an incredible history at Everton and there's a winning mentality. We need to embrace those expectations."

The winners of Everton vs. Stoke City on Wednesday will advance to the Barclays Asia Trophy final on July 18, to face either Arsenal or the Singapore Select XI. All games will be played at the Singapore Sports Hub.