Everton spent more than £50m on transfers last summer, and Director of Football Barry Fry expects them to go even bigger this time around - bankrolled by Bill Kenwright and Farhad Moshiri.

Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan and Norwich's Ben Godfrey were the Toffees' major signings 12 months ago, although even despite the free transfer addition of James Rodriguez following his departure from Real Madrid, Carlo Ancelotti's team could only muster up a disappointing tenth-place finish.

Everton announced themselves as early title contenders having found themselves sitting second on Boxing Day, two points behind Merseyside neighbours Liverpool, but some key injuries saw them fall away towards the end of the campaign.

Just three victories from their final 12 games saw Ancelotti's team slide down the table, with their defeat at Manchester City last weekend seeing them slip into tenth, their lowest position of the season.

Despite their collapse, Everton are still heading in the right direction under the Italian, and Fry told Football FanCast that he believes Ancelotti will be given every opportunity to mount a serious top four challenge next term:

"Well, I know Bill [Kenwright]very well and the owners back the club, which Ken [Kenwright] will be pleased about. You don’t fetch a manager in like you’ve got if you don’t back him.

"I think Everton will spend a lot of money in the summer – three or four quality players to go knocking on the door for the Champions League next season. No doubt in my mind.

"They brought the guy in to do a job, they’ve got to back him - and they will."