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Everton’s build-up to the forthcoming Premier League season has taken a serious hit.

Key attacker Iliman Ndiaye is said to be nearing a switch to Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal.

As per transfer insider Pete O'Rourke, the Senegalese international is expected to complete a highly profitable exit this summer, which would leave the Toffees without one of their principal goal threats.

Although Ndiaye’s departure would weaken Everton’s attacking threat, the situation in defence - or the lack of it - is arguably even more concerning. At present, Everton have only three senior central defenders in their whole squad.

Notably, two of those options are James Tarkowski and Michael Keane, both now 33 years old, who were part of Burnley’s central defensive set-up a decade ago.

In Burnley’s 2016/17 Premier League campaign, Ben Mee was Sean Dyche’s first-choice partner for Keane, although Tarkowski and Keane did feature together 20 times across the season.

Depending on that exact pairing again, ten years on, underlines how little the squad has progressed and could leave Everton vulnerable at the back in 2026/27.

Adding to the uncertainty at Goodison Park is the speculation around manager David Moyes.

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The experienced Scot has been linked with the vacant Scotland national team job after Steve Clarke’s recent exit following a disappointing World Cup elimination.

Given where Moyes is in his managerial journey, taking charge of his national side at this stage is widely seen as his last chance to take on the role.

If the Scottish FA makes a formal move, Everton may end up looking for a new manager at the worst possible time.

With a little over three weeks left before the Premier League season begins, the pressure on Everton’s transfer team has now reached a stage where supporters are starting to question the thinking behind their summer business.

The club cannot go into the opening weekend depending on an ageing defensive duo, very limited central cover, and their star forward being sold overseas.

The Toffees have brought in Merlin Rohl and Tyrique George on permanent deals, and have also secured Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough, but more still needs to be done. Everton begin their Premier League campaign at home against Crystal Palace on Saturday, August 22.