What started as internet forum rumour has gathered a pace and now reports this morning suggest Jermaine Beckford is set to complete a free transfer move to Goodison today.
The Leeds United striker, who hit 30 goals last season, allegedly signed a pre-contract agreement with Everton a few months back, though apparently the option was still open for him move elsewhere, with Aston Villa and Newcastle interested.
Everton's frosty relationship with Leeds United after the Luke Garbutt transfer last summer also led to chairman Ken Bates and manager Simon Grayson suggesting Beckford 'could do better'. The White's promotion to the Championship also made me think Beckford would be tempted to extend his stay in Yorkshire.
However, the Daily Post reports the 26-year-old is close to signing a four-year deal after a medical was completed at Finch Farm yesterday. Beckford would become Everton's second signing of the summer, following thew arrival of Slovakian 'keeper Jan Mucha.
The signing of a League One striker is hardly one to get the pulses racing but it is at least nice to see Moyes is adding to the side early.
Moyes always seeks to improve the squad with each signing so if you consider Mucha, an international 'keeper, is replacing Carlo Nash, then Beckford could be a replacment for someone like James Vaughan, who has been linked with a move away from Goodison.
I have always been a fan of Vaughan. He has been extremely unlucky with injuries but on his fleeting appearances in a Blue shirt his all action attitude hasn't dimished and with a run of games under his belt could be a handy player.
Sadly though he never looks like stringing 10 games together without picking up another niggle or knock. A move down a level might be good for him. That would then create a space for Beckford to become a handy, pacy and most importantly match fit, subsitute for Louis Saha.
A free transfer on relatively low wages means he is a low-risk buy. True he is inexperienced at the top level, but so were Tim Cahill and Phil Jagielka when they were plucked from the Championship. If Beckford can replicate anything close to Cahill's or Jagielka's form then it will be an inspired signing once more by Moyes.
Elsewhere the Ben Arfa rumours continue. As said in my post yesterday if we can get 7-10 million for Yakubu and replace him with the young Marseille forward it would be another very handy bit of business by Moyes, who continues to impress in the transfer market depsite his tight budget.
What are your thoughts on Beckford's signing? Is he the answer? Who else should Everton sign this summer? Please leave your comments below.