Everton boss David Moyes still keen to land Joao Moutinho

Kenwright said: "He is one of the manager's major targets. David said last week in America, 'I am only going to bring in players who will take the club forward', and that is how he is.

"He is relentless in that, I have never known David say 'he'll do' or 'that'll do'. He takes his time, pinpoints and focuses. And when I actually see the player he has focused on I say 'I get it'. I saw one this weekend on a football pitch and I said, 'Yeah, I see why we want that particular player'."

Everton are confident the transfer of Johnson will finally be completed today to hand Moyes a welcome cash boost.

Goodison chairman Kenwright has held talks with Craven Cottage officials to thrash out the terms of the deal, which appeared in jeopardy over the weekend.

Fulham were keen to lower their initial payment significantly having discovered an issue with an injury Johnson suffered during his time at Crystal Palace.

It is believed, though, that the up-front payment was initially still less than half of a fee which could eventually rise to around £13million.

Some minor adjustments over instalments have been negotiated, but Everton could still recoup the maximum figure dependent on Johnson's appearances for the Londoners.

While one striker sets to depart Goodison, another, Yakubu, has been backed to improve on his debut season goal tally.

The Nigerian is aiming to become the first player since Graeme Sharp more than 20 years ago to smash the 20-goal barrier in consecutive seasons.

Yakubu ended last season with 21 goals, the most scored by an Everton player since Peter Beardsley in 1992.

And compatriot Joseph Yobo has urged his team-mates to continue making the opportunities for the club's record signing.

"Yak is a natural finisher," said Yobo. "He came here last season and has done very well, so hopefully he can score the goals again this time.

"But we have to create the chances for him. He doesn't miss that many, so with Yak you know that if he gets his chance, he'll score one out of every two.

"When he first came here, he struggled a little bit because the Everton team work really hard and it's a big part of our game. I told him that from the beginning.

"He's improved a lot since then, and is adapting to everything which is showing in his game. I guess he wasn't running as much before as he does now.

"He's now used to the team and the way we play, so hopefully that can help him this season."

Both Yobo and Yakubu have been named in the Nigeria squad to face South Africa in Port Elizabeth on September 6.

The game doubles up as a qualifier for the 2010 World Cup and the African Nations Cup in the same year.

Meanwhile, Everton have appointed Robert Elstone as acting chief executive following the shock departure of Keith Wyness last week.