Frank Lampard looks poised to be appointed as Everton's new manager at Goodison Park - and he has already lined up two potential signings.
The Toffees have put Lampard in pole position to become their new boss after a final round of interviews on Friday which pushed him to the front of the queue.
Everton chiefs have made a swift U-turn following backlash from fans over the possible appointment of Vitor Pereira, who had emerged as the likely candidate to succeed Rafa Benitez.
Instead it is Lampard who could now follow in his old manager's footsteps on Merseyside, as he expects a formal offer from the club imminently.
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Should Lampard be handed the keys to the club, he has reportedly already identified two signings he would like to make this month to boost Everton's chances over the back half of the campaign.
According to The Sun, Lampard wants to hand Dele Alli a lifeline away from his Tottenham nightmare by signing the midfielder on loan for the remainder of the season.
Alli has fallen out of favour at Spurs and has dropped completely out of the England picture.
A move to Everton under the tutelage of Lampard would likely be an attractive prospect for the 25-year-old to reignite his career.
The report claims that Lampard has already made his interest in signing Alli known to Everton owner Farhad Moshiri and chairman Bill Kenwright, and has at least one other target in mind.
And it seems one of the names on Lampard's shortlist is another out-of-favour star in Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek.
The Dutchman is surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, with United interim coach Ralf Rangnick identifying him as one of four players he is happy to let go in January.
Crystal Palace have been in negotiations to take van de Beek to Selhurst Park on loan, following an intervention from Arsenal legend Dennis Bergkamp to former teammate and Eagles' boss Patrick Vieira.
However, journalist Fabrizio Romano now claims Everton have joined the race for Van de Beek's services, with Lampard keen to edge out Palace before Monday's transfer deadline.
Moshiri was impressed by Lampard during an interview at a secret location in London on Friday, which saw him edge ahead of Everton caretaker boss Duncan Ferguson in the running.
Talks were held among Everton chiefs late into the night, with all three candidates still in contention, though Lampard was regarded as the favourite and Pereira now an outside bet.
Lampard's camp believe there is a good chance he will be offered a contract on Saturday to take the reins, giving him just a couple of days to bring in any reinforcements to his playing staff.
According to The Athletic, he also has plans to raid his former club Chelsea for coach Anthony Barry, though Blues' boss Thomas Tuchel is keen to keep him on his roster of staff and will fight to ward off any interest.
