LOUIS SAHA is hoping he finally gets the chance to forge a potentially lethal strike partnership with Yakubu next season - after their promising pairing was split up by injury.

The Everton duo started only six matches together before Yakubu's season-ending Achilles injury ended any prospect of the pair forming a potent strikeforce together.

But with the Nigerian back in pre-season training and vowing to be fit in time for the big kick-off - Saha is eagerly awaiting the start of the 2009/10 campaign.

The French striker, sporting orange hair this week at Everton's Scottish training camp near Edinburgh, said: "I think his (Yakubu's) strength and coolness in front of goal is perfect as a partner for any striker. I can't wait to have the Yak back."

"Jo will be a very good signing if it happens. He looked good last season," he added.

Everton assistant manager, Steve Round, is also hoping an agreement can be reached with Manchester City.

"I am very much hoping a deal can be put in place. I think we saw last season what he is capable of," he said.

"Last season, the manager (David Moyes) was very keen on Jo and perhaps tried to sign him but was pipped at the post by Manchester City."

Last season's five-goal loan spell at Goodison saw Jo rejuvenated after a frustrating time at Eastlands.

Round added: "He came in as a young player to Manchester and struggled at first.

"The Premier League is different to anything else anywhere in the world. But he found his feet with us, came through and got us some goals.

"He's certainly a player we would like to have in our squad and firing.

"It's up to the club to try to finalise a deal. Hopefully that will come off and we'll have a very, very good player in our squad."

Everton have been linked with Standard Liege midfielder Steven Defour, former club colleague of the Toffees' record signing Marouane Fellaini, but a suggested fee of £13million is deemed unrealistic.

Moyes is also interested in Sheffield United's young defender Kyle Naughton, but again the £6m asking price is beyond the Premier League club's valuation.

And the club has also overtaken last term's total of 23,220 season ticket sales, with the figure nearing 24,000 already.

Club captain Phil Neville, meanwhile, will miss playing against Cristiano Ronaldo.

While there will be plenty of top-flight defenders who will be glad to see the back of the brilliant former Manchester United star, Neville claims he enjoyed facing arguably the world's best player.

Neville said: "From an English football point of view I was gutted to see Cristiano Ronaldo leave.

"I think he brought a lot to the Premier League, everyone enjoyed playing against him, he is the best player in the world and he entertains people.

"We want the best players to be playing in the Premier League because we feel we play the best football and we have the best football product over here.

"Real Madrid are spending money but I still believe the Premier League is the best, the most exciting, the most honest, the most entertaining and we can be proud of that."

Leeds United, meanwhile, have expressed their disappointment at youngster Luke Garbutt's decision to leave the League One club in favour of Everton.

A statement on the clubs official website said: "Leeds United made the player an exceptional offer to join the club initially as a scholar and then as a professional player.

"We're disappointed that the player chose to join Everton.

"Leeds United are entitled to compensation and will also look into the circumstances surrounding his move."

The Luke Garbutt signing to the Everton academy from Leeds United came of something of a surprise although a welcome one in which EFC tries to restock the academy after a number of players were released at the start of the summer. Those departed are wished well, and those coming in now have to knuckle down and work hard.

Coupled the young signings now in with some of the names Everton under Moyes, and it is obvious that the informal transfer policy that the club have adopted is one of bringing in players in young on reduced fees - build them up and develop them - then put them in if they perform. Sell them on and generate revenue if they can't quite manage it. Moyes' record of looking for gold amongst the lower leagues is excellent, this is where the "ditherer" is has done the business for Evertonians and where no one can criticise. Recognition of talent is something Moyes was born with - it's the sort of thing that is born not manufactured. You can't learn it like a striker knows where to be in the box.

It appears that Everton are not willing to spend significant fees on players above the age of 23. This Moyes transfer strategy, isn't just sensible - it's building for the future and keeps the momentum of the club going forward.

Speaking as a fan, not just analysing what Everton FC are doing - it is infuriating seeing the wasting of the fans' money on purchases like these - it's the fans generate the clubs' money! It's out of our pockets and here Moyes should be supported, he's done the right things in bringing in younger players like Baines, Gosling, Rodwell and a number of others.

When buying young you get the privilege of seeing David Moyes develop someone at The School of Science, like watching a boxer getting into shape for a world title fight. Jagielka - player of the season looked like he lacked confidence on initial arrival, was switched position, obviously trained in the gym to put on weight (muscle) and positively thrived in his position of centre back. International call up followed. Similar views - but in expressing technique for Joleon Lescott. Confidence given to him from David Moyes. When we buy young - we keep hold of our much needed money, we develop youth and inspire the fans. We also spread our risk. And gambling with the future of Everton Football Club is not something that should be encouraged, particularly after all the work of David Moyes to secure it and grow our future. That's not to say senior players like Neville or others have not got their place - they're the leaders, but they should never be brought in on significant fees. Never.

Buying players under the age of 23 is something David Moyes should be lauded for. He's the man who's keeping the club competitive by developing footballers at our place. We can keep hold of these players because we are growing on the football stage - but equally loyalty does still count in football. Look at Jack Rodwell. He knows just what David Moyes has done for him and continues to do, but equally appreciates the fact that "just to play for Everton is an honour". Attitude is all important its something a good manager keeps in check.

Money is going to be spent this summer by Everton FC. But when it is - it will be on players under the age of 23. Particularly on another winger / playmaker and/or someone who can come inside in midfield when needed. It's what we need. Other positions have also to be filled and we can be confident that if money is to be spent those too will be young with potential Moyes can get the most out of at Finch Farm.

When it does get spent - two of the players linked for midfield position, named (22 year old) Joao Moutinho - Sporting Lisbon and (21 year old) Stephen Defour - Standard Liege are both matching our criteria, and both have European/International experience. Both are safe (in the football sense) investments.

Other links like (19 year old) Fabian Delph - Leeds and (20 year old) Kyle Naughton both are the versatile and players Moyes alone can fully develop. They would also get opportunities they couldn't away from us. There are other links, and Moyes no doubt has a short list in case as happened last summer, clubs try and price us out or rivals try and hijack bids.

At every step it's about players that will grow at Everton and will long term take the club forward, coupled with the odd player that will come in to a specific job as Moyes has done before.

We can trust Moyes to bring the players in that are needed; the only thing stopping us is inflated prices and recklessness of other clubs. But everything is in place that is needed for a player to thrive at Everton if they seize their opportunity.