Moyes led Everton to fifth in last season's Premier League

Everton manager David Moyes says his fruitless search for new players before the start of the new season is making him feel "demented".

Moyes has only brought in Brazilian striker Jo on loan from Manchester City, while letting Andy van der Meyde, Lars Jacobson and Nuno Valente leave.

But Moyes is still hopeful of signing Arsenal defender Philippe Senderos.

"If we want a run in Europe we need more players. The search goes on and hasn't stopped all summer," said Moyes.

"We are not ready as far as the squad goes, we want more players in. We let a few go in the summer and we have not replaced any of those players yet."

Moyes, who has rejected bids for Joleon Lescott and Louis Saha this summer, is desperate to add to his squad before the club's Europa League play-off tie against Czech side Sigma Olomouc later this month.

Trying to find players who are cheap, don't want high wages and will come here to improve us, well, it is not easy Everton boss David Moyes

The two-legged clash will dictate whether or not the Toffees have a season of regular European fixtures - and the income that brings.

Moyes admits he needs to act now to reinforce his squad ahead of the first leg at Goodison Park on 20 August.

"Apart from a couple of clubs, the transfer activity around the country has been limited," he said.

"But to improve on our fifth place finish in the league and FA Cup final appearance last season costs a lot of money.

"We don't have that money. So trying to find players who are cheap, don't want high wages and will come here to improve us, well, it is not easy."

While Moyes remains hopeful of a positive outcome in his bid for Senderos, the clubs are believed to be still some way from agreeing a fee.

Moyes said: "We have a good team but what we do not have is back-up, and that is what we are trying to get.

"The bid for Senderos has been with Arsenal for a while now, and maybe it is getting closer."

Meanwhile, it is believed Everton chairman Bill Kenwright has held further talks with Manchester City and told the Eastlands club the Toffees do not want to sell Lescott to one of their direct rivals in the battle to claim a Champions League berth.

Everton's reluctance to part with their big-name players was underlined when Moyes recently rejected an £8m bid from Turkish side Besiktas for Saha.

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