Everton are a force to be reckoned with.

For once, the club have spent productively and are beginning to reap the rewards.

Under the stewardship for Carlo Ancelotti, the Toffees have already come a long way and they are currently sitting third in the table.

Of course, we're only three matches in but it's set a good precedent. 

Buoyed by the impressive additions of James Rodriguez, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Allan, the spine of the team looks considerably different.

Importantly, Ancelotti has got Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring again. He dropped off considerably during project restart but he's got five goals in three outings this term.

Despite their rampant start, Everton are still looking to improve their squad.

Carlo Ancelotti and James Rodriguez

The defence has now become a priority for Ancelotti and after being linked with a loan move for Fikayo Tomori earlier in the window, they're now targeting a different Chelsea player.

Coincidentally, it's one that's already taken to the field in the blue of Everton - Kurt Zouma.

According to a report from French outlet Le10 Sport, Everton and Leicester have positioned themselves to sign the centre-back. 

The Merseysiders are now 'pushing hard' to bring him back to Goodison Park but it's thought they'll have to cough up quite a sum of money. 

Discussions are ongoing between Chelsea and Everton and in order to convince Frank Lampard to sell, it could take a fee of €40m (£36.3m). 

The Toffees have already splashed out over £42m this summer so it would take their summer spending well beyond the £70m mark. 

Kurt Zouma against Brighton

GIVEMESPORT'S Matt Dawson says...

Everton lack depth at centre-back so signing a further defender would certainly make a lot of sense.

Yerry Mina and Michael Keane have been preferred this term but behind them in the pecking order are youngsters Mason Holgate and Jarrad Branthwaite.

If Ancelotti has desires of taking this team to the next level then they need a centre-back with the qualities and experiences that Zouma has.

He's also a player that knows the facilities and the club extremely well. The 25-year-old featured 36 times in 2018/19 during a loan spell and was described by former manager Marco Silva as a "really important player." 

Kurt Zouma

You sense that he'd regain that mantra by linking up with the Everton squad again.

He is a powerful centre-back, winning 3.8 aerial duels a game last term, but his reading of the play is also very good. Zouma managed 2.1 interceptions per match in 2019/20. 

If Marcel Brands can spare the cash required to land the France international then he'd be a worthwhile addition. After all, this is someone deemed good enough for a top-four club.