It’s an exciting time to be an Everton fan these days! A new stadium is on the way, they’ve appointed a manager with an attacking philosophy and have the money to back him. But, if the Toffees are going to join England’s elite, they’re going to have to break the bank.

Manchester City were in the same position is 2008, where they had all the ambition, all the money and the loyal fanbase to build a successful club. It’s taken them over £1bn in transfers to make their fans’ dreams become a reality, and Everton will have to do the same to replicate it.

City didn’t have a global reputation when they were taken over, and so they had to pay well over the odds in wages and transfer fees to convince players to play for them and believe in the dream. Everton are in the same position now, with players like Nabil Fekir linked (albeit, dubiously by Calciomercato) who would be a great addition to the team.

They have claimed the Toffees are interested in the Lyon midfielder, but so are bigger clubs in Europe and if they’re to win the battle for him they’ll need to pay well over his £63m market value on Transfermarkt.

This is the reality of a club who's hoping to join England’s elite. Chelsea and City the same, overspending is crucial at the start, that's just the sad reality of it.

They have to go all-out and forget the criticism of jealous clubs below them and entitled clubs above because that’s the only way a team can ever become successful consistently. Money has been swallowed up by Europe’s elite and the gap is widening, particularly with financial fair play now squashing the dreams of any fan who hopes their club can rise like City have.

They have to reach out and create large commercial deals and spend as much money as they can until their reputation becomes big enough to attract the top players themselves.

It’s going to cost a fortune, but Everton have the capacity to challenge for Europe again if they put their all into it.

Everton fans, who do you think Marco Silva should sign in summer? Join the discussion by commenting below...