Everton are ready to step up their bid to appoint Ronald Koeman as their new manager and expect ‘positive developments this week, health ’ according to reports.
The 53-year-old steered the Saints to their highest ever Premier League points haul this season- achieving a fifth-place finish and Europa League qualification as a result- and is believed to be at the top of the Blues’ list to replace Roberto Martinez.
Up to now, ampoule progress has been slow in the search to find a credible candidate, with Iranian backer Farhad Moshiri having also spoken to a number of other managers, including Manuel Pellegrini and ex-Everton boss David Moyes.
But the Daily Mirror writes that the former Feyenoord head coach’s return from an end-of-season holiday in the Caribbean could now accelerate the process.
The former Barcelona legend, who has one year left on his current deal on the south coast, has also been linked with a move to Arsenal when his contract expires next season, but will meet current employers Southampton this week before entering into negotiations with the Blues.
And sources in Holland suggest that Moshiri will stop at nothing to convince Koeman to join the club, with the Blues reportedly ready to double Koeman’s salary, as well as providing him with a £100 transfer budget, in the hope of luring the highly-rated tactician to Goodison this summer.
Should a move for the Southampton manager fall through, Everton are expected to turn their attention to second-choice target Unai Emery of Sevilla.