Surely it's the clubs idea of where we are going, and how this is presented to players, that is the critical factor, for the potential signings we pitch to?
Not including the tier of elite players, we have a big space to play in.
I can accept that if Walsh had been hired earlier last summer (which was unrealistic), and we avoided the duplication of effort, and what seems general confusion in strategy, we might have convinced one or both of Witsel and Carvalho to join, Mata and Kouibaly always seemed far less realistic to me.
It's a pity that our earlier momentum has come to a shuddering halt, as being on a good run would have helped in January. But we still have points to win before then.
I don't think Koeman is the personal draw that many would have thought he was for players, but if we can show we intend to invest serious money, be competitive with wages, and actually want to achieve things, then that, on top of the potential new stadium, sell-outs at Goodison, and general good reputation in English football, should all help.
I don't think we are in a position to make signings of a sort that would make other clubs sit up and take notice, it's the impact of the signings we make towards the team as a whole that will be more important as I see it in this rebuilding phase.