Everton Chairman Bill Kenwright says he is excited about the future of the Club after a summer of positive news.
The Toffees have made three impressive signings in recent months – Gareth Barry, Mo Besic and Romelu Lukaku – and the Club have also tied Seamus Coleman, Ross Barkley and most recently John Stones to new contracts at Goodison Park.
The Blues chief has also seen his manager Roberto Martinez put pen to paper on a new deal earlier this summer, and Kenwright says many of his objectives during this current transfer window have been met.
Kenwright was speaking to Sky Sports News and the life-long Evertonian has spoken of his delight at the Club’s dealings this summer, most notably the signing of Romelu Lukaku whom he says is ‘more than a footballer’ to Everton.
“We had a number of objectives at the start of the summer”, said Kenwright.
“The first was to get manager Roberto (Martinez) on a long-term deal because that was paramount and once we’d done that we knew the rest would follow.
“There was John Stones, Ross Barkley and Seamus Coleman we wanted on long-term deals – who are three of the hottest young properties in the Premier League at the moment. We knew there was interest from other clubs in them.
“John was awesome. The lad is a complete footballer as are Seamus and Ross.
“It’s great we have a manager who wants to bring the good times back to Goodison – and he’s doing it via youth. I have phone conversations at one o’clock in the morning with Roberto, talking things through.
“In Ross we have a committed life-long Evertonian and the most thrilling moment for me was when I spoke to him after the contract was signed and he told me he was made up.”
Kenwright went on to hail the signing of Lukaku from Chelsea, and he believes the capture of the Belgian sends out a big message to the rest of the Premier League, Kenwright added:
“We had a few bob to spend this summer. Chelsea were terrific, his family were terrific and Rom was our number one choice.
“The deal had to go on hold for four weeks because he was off to the World Cup.
“But it was mega when we signed him because most Evertonians will tell you that our turnaround in our season was that extraordinary day at the end of the transfer window last August when we signed Rom, Gareth Barry, James McCarthy all in the space of about 40 minutes at the end of the window.
“And to get Rom full-time is great. All the lads wanted him back too and they were texting him.
“It’s more than a signing, it’s a statement. We’ve signed Gareth Barry this year too. We do it for our fans and why else would you be in football for.”
Kenwright also confirmed to SSN presenter Jim White that the Club are ‘still looking for players’ and the Toffees Chairman says Chelsea winger Christian Atsu could well be one of the potential new faces arriving at Goodison Park.
