Everton remain in the Premier League thanks to Abdoulaye Doucoure after his thunderbolt helped beat AFC Bournemouth on the final day of the season last month.
As a result, Leicester City and Leeds United tasted the bitter feeling of relegation to the Championship along with Southampton as their time in the English top-flight was ended. The Saints saw their fate sealed following their 2-0 defeat to Fulham, two weeks before the curtain came down on the campaign.
It was a second successive relegation battle for the Blues. Unlike the scenes after their win over Crystal Palace a year ago, the feeling was more subdued against the Cherries as focus quickly turned to ensuring that Evertonians do not find themselves in that precarious position again.
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Already, the buy options in the loan deals for Conor Coady and Ruben Vinagre have not been exercised meaning their time at Goodison Park has come to an end.
But could there be any potential targets who have just dropped down a division? Here are five who could fit the bill...
Timothy Castagne
The Leicester City defender is a Belgian international and has made 91 appearances for the Foxes during their time in the Premier League.
In their final campaign in the English top-flight, Castagne played all but one of their matches scoring twice and assisting three times. He could be a credible option for the Blues with his versatility which allows him to play across the back four - a position that has been problematic for Sean Dyche as their defensive options became decimated by injuries.
He flourished at Atalanta following his formative years in his native Belgium with giants Genk. He could be a valuable asset for Everton, likely to be available at a cut-price as the Foxes drop into the Championship with one of the highest wage budgets.
James Ward-Prowse
Everton fans know all too well the qualities of James Ward-Prowse. The England international converted a free-kick at Goodison Park to hand Nathan Jones his only Premier League win during his ill-fated tenure at St Mary's.
The Blues need quality as well as experience and the 28-year-old provides both. There are question marks over his future at Southampton as their 11-year stint in the English top-flight came to end with clubs circling the midfielder in what would be an astute move.
Ever-present in their disappointing campaign, he has been probed over his future by members of the media after being the shining beacon scoring nine goals and turning provider on four times. Reliability is definitely a key component for Dyche and Ward-Prowse could provide it in abundance.
Mohammed Salisu
Staying on the coast, Mohammed Salisu is another option who could help bolster the squad for next season. The towering defender would provide much-needed quality to a depleted backline after departures of Coady and Yerry Mina.
Michael Keane provided glimpses that he can still deliver for the Blues but at this stage, Everton need reliable players and a solid structure to build from. The 24-year-old can do just that while there is still enough time to play his best years at Goodison Park.
Salisu is internationally capped with Ghana. With Southampton into the Championship and a year remaining on the defender's deal, it could be a feasible target to monitor, likely to be available for a reasonable fee.
Harvey Barnes
Harvey Barnes did all he could on the final day to keep Leicester City's hopes of remaining in the Premier League alive as he scored the opener in their 2-0 win over West Ham United. In recent campaigns, his respectable returns have warranted interest from several sides in the Premier League.
This term, he was their top goalscorer with 13 in the Premier League as he couldn't inspire the Foxes to safety. Barnes enjoyed a breakthrough season under Brendan Rodgers four years ago and could be an eye-catching attacking recruit.
With Demarai Gray and Dominic Calvert-Lewin among the options this season, there is a growing need to add depth across the squad and in particular up front. Barnes for that area would be a no-brainer.
Kameldeen Sulemana
Kamaldeen Sulemana is a name that will resonate with Everton fans after the Blues were reportedly beaten in the pursuit by the Saints in January. Another option from Southampton, Sulemana was finding his feet in the Premier League and was thrown in the deep end to continue his development.
He found his goalscoring boots on the final day of the season with a brace against Liverpool. Goalscoring proved difficult for Everton during the season as their frontline was thwarted with key players on the treatment table.
Sulemana's trickery would provide a new dimension - and he remains another player linked with a move away. Addressing his future recently, he said: "I’m going to take it from here, I have scored the goals to make my mark on the fans and I am happy on the last day so we will take it from there.
"My future is not in my hands, we don’t know what the future holds. If I am here for the pre-season I will be here and will be ready to put all the hard work needed to bring Southampton back where it belongs."
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