Friday 10 August 2018 16:37, UK
Marco Silva has confirmed Everton are close to finalising Kurt Zouma's move from Chelsea on a season-long loan.
Everton submitted a deal sheet ahead of Thursday's 5pm deadline and were expected to get the deal over the line on Friday morning.
Silva allayed fans' fears that the deal may not go ahead with an announcement now expected on Friday afternoon.
"It's almost done, not official but almost," the Everton boss said. "We'll wait for a few hours and see what we'll do but it's almost done.
"I don't want to talk only about him because the market is the market. When you start to bring in some new players you want to strengthen the squad.
"Of course at his moment it looks stronger but we have to work with all of them and gel everything and put them in our way to adapt them as soon as possible."
Yerry Mina was one of three signings for Everton on Deadline Day but Silva insists the Colombian defender's arrival does not adversely impact the future of the team's existing central defenders.
"It doesn't mean nothing really [for the players who are still here]. We sold Funes Mori and sent Ashley Williams out on loan. We have bought Mina and Zouma is coming on loan. Everything is the same, even the number of central defenders is the same.
"Even last January the club brought in Mangala as a loan player [from Manchester City]. We needed to bring in new centre-backs after Funes Mori and Williams left."
Andre Gomes also joined Everton in a loan deal from Barcelona and Silva felt a temporary deal for his compatriot was too good to resist.
"It was a good opportunity for us in the market. We were dealing with Barcelona with Mina and I know the player very well. For sure he will help us."
Brazil international Bernard was the first Deadline Day deal completed by Everton and Silva is excited by the 25-year-old's potential impact at Goodison Park.
"He has a different profile to the other players we have in that position. He can play on the left, right and behind the striker. As offensive midfielders we have Gylfi Sigurdsson and Kieran Dowell but Bernard has a different profile. He is going to bring quality and some competition.
"At the end, I need to have problems deciding my XI because it's the only way the club can grow and compete to take each others positions."
