There is no doubt that the recent form of Ronald Koeman’s Everton side has excited our resident Toffees in the Transfer Tavern and they, along with various surrounding teams’, supporters are looking to see if they can make an assault on the top four in the second half of this season.

There is no doubt that Everton is a club that looks to help young players flourish which has been emphasised by the use of youth the season and, most recently, in the action of giving former youth player, Jose Baxter another chance to train with the U23’s once a drugs ban ends this summer.

Along with the signing of Baxter, a more high profile signing is that of Morgan Schneiderlin and the Frenchman’s move to Goodison Park has convinced our landlord that things are going to take shape in the next few transfer windows under Koeman.

We could well see top flight European competition in the Blue side of Merseyside in the very near future, then, though this season may be too soon.

In the meantime, here are two thoughts in the mind of Evertonians in the Transfer Tavern before the deadline…

Will Lukaku sign a new deal?

Everton fans in the Transfer Tavern sure are twitchy over the future of Romelu Lukaku with the Belgium striker’s agent confirming the new contract is ‘99% done’ but his client may not be at Everton “beyond this season.”

With nothing announced by Everton this month about Lukaku’s contract, our landlord believes that the lure of European football will weigh heavy on Lukaku’s mind and there will be no shortage of potential buyers should it be announced he intends to leave.

There is no doubt that it would put our resident Evertonian’s minds to rest if Lukaku signs a new deal before the window is done, that is for sure.

Is youth the way to go?

With the signings of Ademola Lookman and, most recently, Anton Donkor on loan – will Ronald Koeman’s youth policy benefit the Toffees in the short term?

There is the common believe among our resident Everton fans that this approach will benefit their club massively in the long term but our landlord is skeptical to whether it can propel them to Champions League football this season.

Either way, there is no doubt that the performances of Everton’s younger players has been impressive with Mason Holgate and Tom Davies particularly impressing.

Agree, Everton fans? Let us know below!