Ronald Koeman will reportedly end speculation over a possible move to Everton by signing a new contract with Southampton in the coming days.
The highly regarded Saints boss had been placed at the top of the list of possible replacements for the recently departed Roberto Martinez, but now looks likely to cast doubts over his future aside by committing to the south-west club for a further two years.
Koeman, 53, is out of contract this summer and had impressed new Blues backer Farhad Moshiri in steering Southampton to a fifth-placed finish in this season’s Premier League.
And although Everton had initially been confident of luring their man to Goodison Park, a change in agent has seen the Dutchman move a step closer to clarifying his position.
The Daily Mirror reports that following the former Barcelona player’s decision to replace former agent Guido Albers, a representative of fellow Everton managerial target Frank De Boer, with Rob Jansen, Koeman is set to sign a new two-year deal with the Saints.
Premier League rivals Arsenal had also been linked with a move for the talented Southampton boss, whose current deal expires this summer.
Everton will now focus their attention elsewhere, with former Ajax coach De Boer, experienced Chilean Manuel Pellegrini, Sevilla manager Unai Emery and ex-boss David Moyes all thought to be under consideration for the vacant role.