Unai Emery has emerged as a serious contender for the vacant Everton manager’s job, according to reports in Spain.
The Blues are in the market for a big name to take over the reins at Goodison Park following a dismal season that culimated with the dismissal of Roberto Martinez.
And the 44-year-old Sevilla coach, winner of three successive Europa League titles, is believed to have joined frontrunners Ronald Koeman, Frank De Boer and Manuel Pellegrini in the race to succeed the deposed Catalan.
Reliable Seville-based publication Estadio Deportivo reports that new Blues backer Farhad Moshiri has enlisted the help of Portuguese super agent Jorge Mendes in his bid to lure the highly-rated Spaniard to Goodison Park after being impressed by Emery’s success in European competition.
Despite quiting his role as Emery’s representative at the end of April, Mendes still has strong ties with the former Valencia manager and is set to be a key figure in any prospective negotiations for the Basque tactician.
The presence of the 50-year-old- who has a known track-record and last week brokered a deal to take Jose Mourinho to Manchester United- as part of the negotiating team is a major fillip for Everton as they attempt to convince Emery to give up Champions League football in favour of a move to the Premier League.
However, the Europa League champions are intent on keeping hold of a man they deem vital to their long-term future, with the Spanish club’s director of football, Monchi, recently insisting that Emery, previously linked with Real Madrid, will stay on at the Liga Liga club for a further season.