Everton’s summer overhaul has gathered pace with PSV Eindhoven sporting director Marcel Brands confirming he is preparing to join the Merseyside club.

The Dutchman will move to Everton to oversee changes in football operations. As well as manager Sam Allardyce seeking clarity on his future, current Director of Football Steve Walsh will need likewise.

“Saying goodbye to the people at this club will be the hardest thing for me,” said Brands. “But it is correct. The first contact with Everton goes back to 2016. I have said, ‘no’ to beautiful clubs in Germany and I am with the best club in the Netherlands.”

Brands will bring an extensive portfolio and is already believed to be targeting PSV Mexican winger Hirving Lozano and Ajax’s Hakin Ziyech.

Once Brands is in place, there are likely to be fundamental changes, although manager Allardyce has not given up on winning the support of the Goodison faithful as he offered another defence of his reign by arguing he inherited ‘chaos’.

Allardyce faces the Gwladys Street for the first time since the club encouraged its fans to rate the former England’s boss’ period in charge.

“You win fans over by winning football matches and winning them in style,” said Allardyce, ahead of the visit of Newcastle. "You can only do what you do and work as hard as you possibly can with the squad and the players you have got to deliver what you can. That has been a difficult challenge.”