Marco Silva remains ‘hopeful’ that Everton can strike a deal for Kurt Zouma.
Zouma has become the Blues’ next priority signing following the arrivals of Jonas Lossl on a free transfer and Andre Gomes’ £22 million move from Barcelona.
Talks between Goodison Park chiefs and Chelsea remain ongoing over the France international, who enjoyed a productive loan spell with the club last season.
But while Silva remains optimistic about Zouma rejoining Everton’s ranks, he also revealed that a number of alternatives have been identified as a fallback option.
“I am hopeful. I think I am hopeful like all of our fans are,” he told the Liverpool Echo.
“But I have to tell you that we have different solutions because we cannot just have one solution.
“I have different solutions in my mind but I am hopeful and if we can give our fans this fantastic feeling it will be key.
“But if not, we have to go in a different way but it is part of the market, part of creating a squad.
“After that position we have three or four more to strengthen.”