Toffees prepared for frugal January

Everton fans have been warned to blame the credit crunch if purse-strings remain drawn during next month’s transfer window.

Boss David Moyes is unlikely to spend, despite the club announcing on Wednesday a record £75.7m turnover to the end of May this year.

Although Everton have clawed themselves out of the red, showing a slight pre-tax profit of £260,000 compared to a £9.4m loss for the same period last year, the pinch is being felt.

Although the club are desperate to strengthen their strikeforce, with rumours continually linking them to Michael Owen, the only signings look set to be loan deals.

With times undoubtedly hard, remaining financially prudent appears the way forward for Moyes and chairman Bill Kenwright.

“The figures this week show the club is being run exceptionally well and is moving in the right direction,” said assistant manager Steve Round.

“It shows we’re solid, with solid foundations, and that we’re doing everything right, both on and off the field. It’s another feather in our cap.

“But as for money to spend, no, I don’t think so.

“In the past funds have been made available, but it’s having them there to make.

“We’re in this situation with the credit crunch where everybody is having to tighten their belts, and we’re no different.”

Given Moyes’ reputation as one of most astute managers able to work on limited resources, Round feels in the present climate it is wise to maintain such a status quo.

“Over the past six years the manager’s net average spend has been about £4million per year,” added Round.

“To achieve what this club has on that is phenomenal, and we don’t see any reason to try and break that structure.

“We need to be strong and financially secure and have a club as good as we are for the fans and the future.

“We don’t want to descend into a situation in which Leeds found themselves, or where you over spend and all of a sudden the bottom is pulled out and the club plummets.

“We want to be a strong club for the fans, and a strong club going forward, so if it means that at times we can’t quite spend as much as others then that’s the way it is.

“Recruitment, though, is an ongoing process, it always is. We’ve been looking all season, and we’ll continue to look coming up to the window.”

Whilst players might not be coming in, the plus point is Moyes does not have to raise funds by selling either.

With Leighton Baines this week linked with a move to Newcastle, Round said: “We’re under no pressure to sell any player at all.

“We’ve a really good, together squad, and we’ll only sell if it’s the right deal for Everton Football Club.

“At the minute we can carry on and keep the same squad through to the end of the season.

“Maybe, touch wood, we’ll be able to add one or two faces in January.”

CSKA Moscow striker Vagner Love, with 17 goals in 25 games this season, has apparently claimed Everton have enquired after his services.