Everton had a slow start to their transfer window but have certainly stepped up their pursuit for players with five new signings now completed at Goodison Park, and they don't seem to be slowing down with the latest update from a reliable source.

What's the latest?

Transfer insider Dean Jones claims that Everton could make their move for a striker "this week".

Jones told GIVEMESPORT:

“I know that they are definitely exploring this at moment. I mean they’re looking at loads of stuff at the moment to be honest with you.

“The squad has been so short of quality that’s needed to even survive in this division, let alone do anything. They played okay at the weekend but they still just lacked that cutting edge, so I think this week we’ll see them make some moves in the market in terms of a striker.”

The news comes after the Toffees confirmed the arrivals of Conor Coady and Amadou Onana within the space of 24 hours earlier this week.

Lampard should be delighted

There is no doubt that Frank Lampard will be delighted that the powers at Goodison Park are finally putting their foot on the pedal to get in the signings needed to add depth and improve key areas in the squad at the club following a disastrous Premier League relegation scrap last season.

The Everton boss will be keen to move on from the mistakes of the past and he can achieve that by adding quality players into the team with Coady and Onana the newest additions to the side.

It is no secret that the focus must now lie in finding a centre-forward who can guarantee goals for the Toffees following the departure of Brazilian winger Richarlison and the recent knee injury sustained by striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Therefore, the former Chelsea boss would be elated if he could find a replacement for the pair's goal contributions as early as this week.

Everton returned to action in the Premier League this weekend against Chelsea in front of the home fans at Goodison Park but failed to take anything from the 1-0 defeat with Anthony Gordon deployed out of position in a striker role as Lampard was left with no central option available to him.

Such was their laboured performance that the club could only manage eight shots - four of which were on target - to Chelsea's 15, showing a clear need for a clinical presence up top.

As a result, it would be no surprise to see a new forward signed sooner rather than later and if the club can identify the man they need it could even be possible to deploy that new player this weekend against Steven Gerrard's Aston Villa on Saturday.

The club has been linked to a number of forwards over the summer including Armando Broja and Viktor Gyokeres, but there has been no deal advanced to sign either player as of yet.

With that being said, if Kevin Thelwell can secure the right striker signing over the coming days it would put the side in a fantastic position to improve their chances of taking points from their games ahead, an eventuality that would surely leave the manager in a happier mood.