Everton's biggest net spend - how they are turning fortunes around

"In January David Moyes was appointed Everton manager for the second time with the club one point above the relegation zone. Eight months later and the club have turned a significant corner, avoiding the drop by 23 points, moving to the state-of-the-art Hill Dickinson Stadium and bringing in nine players in a summer of record recruitment. No side have picked up more points than Everton since the start of May, and they sit fifth in the Premier League."

"The biggest challenge facing Everton this summer was how best to overhaul a threadbare squad following the departure of nine senior players, including first-team regulars Abdoulaye Doucoure, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Jack Harrison and Ashley Young. The response has been comprehensive. Everton have signed nine players at a net cost of 97m (based on initial fees), their highest net outlay in a summer transfer window and more than they had spent over the previous seven seasons combined (71m)."

"It is a significant turnaround for a club which have twice been subject to points deductions for breaching profit and sustainability regulations (PSR) and only escaped relegation on the final day of the season two years ago. "If you'd told me that this summer we'd do a net spend of that, I'd have been excited and delighted," says former Everton midfielder Leon Osman. "Yes, we wouldn't mind another defender, due to injuries, and a 30-goal striker, but for one window it's outstanding. "It's exciting times for everyone.""

David Moyes returned as Everton manager in January when the club sat one point above the relegation zone. Everton avoided relegation by 23 points, moved to the Hill Dickinson Stadium and signed nine players in a record recruitment summer. No side has collected more points since the start of May and Everton occupy fifth place in the Premier League. The club spent a net £97m on transfers, the highest single-window outlay in club history and more than the previous seven seasons combined. The club previously suffered points deductions for profit and sustainability breaches. A loan-to-buy clause for Merlin Rohl could raise net spend to £114m.

Read at www.bbc.com