Everton are prepared for a second bid from Manchester United for their left-back Leighton Baines having completed the first signing of the Roberto Martínez era in Arouna Koné.
The Premier League champions had an offer in the region of £10m rejected for Baines last month and there has been no further contact between David Moyes's present and past clubs. United, however, are believed to be close to making an improved offer for the England international, albeit one that remains way below Everton's £20m valuation of the 28-year-old.
Martínez wants to extend Baines's contract rather than cash in on a defender with only two years remaining on his deal at Goodison Park, and has the backing of the Everton chairman Bill Kenwright to resist any approaches from United. Moyes refused to be drawn on transfer matters at the announcement of United's new £8m-a-year partnership with the Russian airline Aeroflot at Old Trafford on Monday.
The Everton manager completed his first signing at Goodison when Koné moved from Martínez's former club Wigan Athletic on a three-year contract. Everton and Newcastle United were keen on the 29-year-old, who scored 13 goals for the relegated FA Cup winners last season and has cost £5m. Koné said a reunion with Martínez was a key factor in his decision: "For me it's an honour to be back working with the manager once again. Last season he really helped me a lot. For my first season I did the absolute best I could but I think that joining up with him at this club is like another dimension for me and I hope that I'm going to continue to improve alongside him."
The Ivory Coast international added: "It is like moving up a level. Every player dreams of playing for a bigger club, and coming here is a big step up. I hope to be able to fulfil all my dreams and get as far as I can through hard work. I want to give my very best for this team and help them to achieve all their targets this season. I really believe in this team and I think we will have a great campaign and I can't wait to make my debut for this club."
Koné will not be involved in Everton's pre-season training camp in Austria later this week, having been on international duty at the end of last season, but is due to join the squad at the end of the month. Another former Wigan player, the Paraguay international defender Antolín Alcaraz, is also wanted by Martínez after his contract expired at the DW Stadium.
The former Everton striker Dave Hickson has died aged 83. Known as the Cannonball Kid, Hickson was one of only eight players in Everton's history to have scored over 100 goals for the club. He also played for Liverpool and Tranmere.