Everton are locked in talks with Carlo Ancelotti to try and convince him to stay at Goodison.
The Blues boss is being lined-up by Real Madrid to replace Zinedine Zidane who quit the Spanish giants last week.
Ancelotti managed Madrid between 2013-15, winning the Champions League title at the Bernabeu, and the possibility of returning to Real has turned the Everton manager's head.
The Blues are in deep discussions with Ancelotti and hoping to get him to change his mind on a return to Real.
Everton have yet to respond to news but sources have told the ECHO that there is an increasing chance that Ancelotti will leave Goodison.
Last month, Ancelotti was asked about the prospect of going back to Madrid but played down the early talk.
But since giving his response, Zinedine Zidane has quit Real and the club have stepped up their search for his replacement.
Ancelotti spent two seasons at Real where he won the Champions League, Uefa Super Cup, Copa Del Rey and FIFA Club World Cup, but was sacked in 2015.
Yet, the Everton boss harbours no ill-feeling towards president Florentino Perez and recently spoke of how they retain a good relationship.
“Listen, I had a fantastic relationship with the president because, first of all, he gave to me the possibility to be the manager to one of the most important teams in the world," Ancelitti said.
“Every manager has to try to be manager of Real Madrid in his career. I was able to do this for Mr Florentino Perez, I had a fantastic relationship, after two years they decided to change but, as I've said a lot of times, it is part of my job. A lot of respect for the president and for the person."
