Ronald Koeman is expected to turn down Everton’s offer to become Roberto Martinez’s successor.
The Dutchman led Southampton to a fifth-place finish in the Premier League this season and was installed as the early frontrunner to take the reigns at Goodison Park following Martinez’s dismissal last Thursday.
But reports suggest that Koeman, who has a year left on his contract with the South Coast side, will snub the Blues’ advances in the hope that one of Europe’s top sides enters the race for his signature.
According to the Daily Mirror, the 53-year-old’s former club Barcelona and Arsenal are believed to be monitoring his situation, with Koeman set to become a free agent next summer as it stands.
As a result, the ambitious former Feyernoord coach is likely to bide his time until the end of the 2016-17 campaign before leaving the Saints upon completion of his deal.
Everton are now set to focus their attention elsewhere in the search for Martinez’s replacement.
Koeman’s compatriot Frank De Boer currently heads a shortlist that is also rumoured to include Sevilla manager Unai Emery and Swiss tactician Lucien Favre, amongst others.
De Boer’s agent recently admitted the former Ajax boss would be interested in the vacant role.