Everton supporters could well be set for a disappointing summer if the latest reports are to be believed...

What's the word?

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, journalist Paul Brown has claimed that the Toffees may only make one signing for what would be considered a "big fee", despite having recouped roughly £60m following the recent sale of talisman, Richarlison, to Tottenham Hotspur.

He stated: "It does look like even with the Richarlison money, there is probably only one signing they will make for a relatively big fee, with the rest of them likely to be loans or free transfers, which is why they went for Tarkowski.”

As Brown alluded to, the Merseysiders' only major business thus far has been the free transfer arrival of former Burnley defender James Tarkowski, with the 29-year-old joining on a four-year deal following the expiry of his contract at Turf Moor.

Supporters fuming

That suggestion will no doubt spark outrage among the Goodison faithful, with supporters likely having been hoping for a summer of extensive recruitment in order to help try and improve upon last season's dismal showing.

Having seen the controversial appointment of former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez perhaps unsurprisingly backfire, the club's owner Farhad Moshiri turned to Frank Lampard to help steer the struggling outfit away from safety, with the Englishman eventually doing so in the penultimate game of the season.

While there was undoubtedly a sense of unity fostered between manager and supporters by that narrow escape, the club's fanbase will not want a repeat performance next time around, hence the inevitable fury if no significant market moves are made.

Last summer saw the aforementioned Benitez spend just £1.8m on new recruits - amid Financial Fair Play restrictions - with that lack of investment undoubtedly playing its part in the club's flirtation with relegation.

The January window did see the arrivals of Nathan Patterson, Vitalyi Mykolenko and Dele Alli on permanent deals, although the latter man, in particular, has failed to make his mark thus far, earning just a solitary league start for the club in the second half of last season.

With that move already looking like something of an error - amid reports the former Spurs man could be moved on this summer - it has set Lampard back even further, with the 44-year-old seemingly in need of substantial backing to truly spark a dramatic turnaround.

As it is, if Brown's claim does prove to be true and only limited investment is made, it could well turn out to be yet another long campaign for all those of an Everton persuasion.

AND, in other news: Everton want to sign "dangerous" £57.8m ace this summer, supporters will be buzzing.