Everton manager Ronald Koeman has admitted that his side need reinforcements over the next two transfer windows if they are to achieve their goals.
The Toffees have won just two of their last 13 matches in all competitions, with their latest defeat at the hands of Merseyside rivals Liverpool leaving them ninth in the Premier League table and closer to the relegation zone than they are to the top five.
However, Koeman is confident that he will be given time by the club in order to fulfil his long-term plan.
"We know that due to the people we have inside the club that this is a project which is for the long term and it does not mean that you are fighting for trophies within six months of arriving at a new club," he told Dutch broadcaster NOS.
"We need to invest not only in January, but also in the next summer transfer window. I believe that the club are aware of this and that I will receive the time. But it is not easy to get time within football these days."
Everton have been linked with moves for Manchester United duo Memphis Depay and Morgan Schneiderlin in January.