Everton boss Frank Lampard's future in the Goodison Park dugout could be in doubt if the final weeks of the transfer window do not go to plan, according to journalist Dean Jones.
The Toffees have got the new season underway with back-to-back defeats, but Lampard may add reinforcements to his squad ahead of the September 1 deadline.
GiveMeSport Transfer Update With Dean Jones
Who have Everton signed so far?
Everton kicked off their transfer business by luring James Tarkowski to Merseyside after the expiry of the central defender's contract at Burnley.
Ruben Vinagre followed the England international to Goodison Park by completing a season-long loan switch from Portuguese giants Sporting.
Tarkowski was then reunited with Dwight McNeil after Everton splashed out £20million to secure the Burnley winger's services.
Conor Coady has added further steel to the Toffees' backline thanks to a temporary agreement being struck with Premier League rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Lampard spent big on his latest acquisition as central midfielder Amadou Onana was tempted away from Lille for £34million.
What has Dean Jones said about Lampard?
Jones understands that Lampard is clashing with the Everton hierarchy over who they should target ahead of the September 1 deadline.
The transfer insider feels the remainder of the summer window could be crucial for the Toffees' chief.
Jones told GIVEMESPORT: "Frank Lampard has certain ideas of players that will come in, but there are also club targets who are being looked at that aren't necessarily the players that he would choose.
"Now, ultimately, this is going to affect Lampard's future however the last two weeks of this window goes because if they are players that Lampard doesn't want, how does he fit them into his side?
"The flipside of that is if Lampard does get his way and he gets the players he wants but they don't work out, his future is going to be in doubt anyway because the club will say, 'you told us this was the direction to go and it didn't work out'."
Who have Everton been linked with?
It is understood that Chelsea's Armando Broja is Everton's top striker target, although Blackburn Rovers talisman Ben Brereton Diaz, Brighton & Hove Albion frontman Neal Maupay and Viktor Gyokeres, of Coventry City, are also of interest.
The Toffees are keen on Bristol City star Antoine Semenyo as well, but they are facing competition from Crystal Palace and Bournemouth.
Everton have reportedly made an offer for Rennes centre forward Serhou Guirassy, while Southampton's Che Adams is high on Lampard's list of attacking targets.