Everton have opened talks with Southampton in a bid to advance negotiations with Ronald Koeman.
Koeman, 53, remains Blues majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri’s first-choice candidate for the currently vacant hot seat at Goodison Park.
The Saints boss previously rebuffed Everton’s advances at the end of last season but, after returning from holiday, has opened himself to the prospect of taking the reins.
And the Guardian claim Moshiri is preparing to arm Roberto Martinez’s successor with a substantial transfer war chest, believed to stand in the region of £160 million, to revive the Toffees’ fortunes.
With a year set to run on his current deal at St Mary’s, Everton would have to pay the remainder of Koeman’s contract which is currently valued at £3 million per year.