Despite a reasonably solid first half to the 2025-26 Premier League season, Everton's campaign has stalled, with only one win in January when they beat Aston Villa on the 18th.
There have been several persistent problems that have hampered their efforts and lessened the impact and progress that David Moyes has been trying to generate since he returned to the Toffees a year ago.
The biggest single issue was the lack of goals from the Blues strikers, which has left Everton with the fifth-lowest number of goals scored in the Premier League so far, 25 in total.
So, there was an expectation that Moyes might dip into the transfer market and try to sign a new forward who could provide competition for the previously seriously struggling Beto and Thierno Barry.
Getting a striker in during this window was always going to be tough, and while the Toffees were linked with several players, so far nothing has come of these rumours.
And in the meantime, Barry has recently raised his game, scoring several goals, and so it looks as though Moyes has renewed confidence and is ready to stick with him and hope he can continue his development and improvement.
If Everton are not to bring in another centre-forward, then where else might the club be looking to strengthen in the last 48 hours or so?
Full-back has been another seemingly endlessly frustrating position in the team, which has caused constant problems for the side's defensive balance.
Again, there have been some stories that the Toffees are also seeking new options at full-back, especially right-back, where there has been constant uncertainty and lack of a consistent starter for longer than many of us can remember.
But once more, none of these rumours seems to be solidifying into a concrete move, and although there are a few more hours left in the window, it appears increasingly unlikely Everton will sign another full-back.
Moyes, therefore, looks ready to trust Jake O'Brien and/or Nathan Patterson to see him through the rest of the season.
Ironically, the final possibility is bringing in another wide player, where the Blues worked particularly hard to strengthen and improve their quality and depth in the summer.
This was one area of the team that looked solid and reasonably set a few weeks ago, with two summer signings, Jack Grealish and Tyler Dibling, plus now returning Illman Ndiaye, all available.
However, Grealish's recent, apparently season-ending injury has changed that. As a result, it has become possible that Everton may have to bring in another wide player, given that Dibling has not impressed when he has played, and the other reserve option, Dwight McNeil, has been awful.
Again, though, there is little news that indicates the Toffees are actively searching for wide options to bring in, so it seems more likely than not that Everton will go into the crucial last third of the campaign with their existing roster.
That would be a risky strategy, given the lack of depth that was already apparent in the squad before the season started, which is now even more strained with Harrison Armstrong possibly going back on loan and fresh injuries that could, of course, strike again in the remaining games.