Everton are close to sealing a deal for Nuno Espirito Santo to become their new manager.
Mirror Sport understands that talks between the Portuguese coach and Goodison owner Farhad Moshiri are at an advanced stage, and an agreement could be sealed by the end of the weekend.
Moshiri returned to the former Wolves coach after confirmation that his number one choice, David Moyes, wanted to remain loyal to West Ham, having guided the London club into the Europa League.
Moyes decided he couldn’t walk out on the players who had performed so magnificently this season, and has agreed a new three year contract, with confirmation likely this weekend.
Moshiri had originally spoken to Santo and his agent Jorge Mendes on Monday, but had spent the week in talks with other options, including former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, and the Belgium manager Roberto Martinez.
But after confirmation Moyes would not leave West Ham, he has returned to talks with the Portuguse coach, with talks said to be on the point of completion, according to sources at the club.
The only stumbling block is the association Mendes has with Wolves, with the super agent thought to still be involved in the sourcing of players for the Black Country club.
He was originally an advisor to the Chinese consortium which bought the club, but Santo’s demands in talks with Everton, included bringing six of his staff with him to Goodison, and Mendes involved in transfer deals.
That would seem like a conflict of interest to many Blues supporters if links with Wolves are maintained, but Moshiri seems close to an agreement to resolve the remaining difficulties.
The arrival of six of the Portuguese coach’s staff would place question marks over some Everton stalwarts who have remained at the club, after the departure of Carlo Ancelotti.
Duncan Ferguson is a folk hero at Goodison, but the current assistant manager may not be kept on if Santo is appointed.
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