Sean Dyche could be appointed the new Everton manager by next Monday after majority shareholder Farhid Moshiri was won over by his credentials, according to the Sun.
The newspaper claims that the Merseysiders are ready to pay the £2.5million release clause in the Burnley manager’s contract despite holding talks with Sam Allardyce in London on Wednesday.
The Sun report that Moshiri is “convinced” by Dyche and that he is regarded as a better long-term investment than Allardyce, 63, whose last three posts with England, Sunderland and Crystal Palace have each lasted less than a year.
Everton are searching for a replacement for Ronald Koeman, who was sacked on Monday of last week after a wretched start to the season.
Under-23s boss David Unsworth is in caretaker charge and wants the job permanently but he has overseen consecutive defeats to Chelsea in the League Cup and Leicester in the Premier League.
High-profile pundit Jamie Carragher claimed on Monday Night Football that the Everton hierarchy are at loggerheads over the identity of the new manager.
OPINION
Has long-standing chairman Kenwright managed to win over Moshiri? It appears so, as Everton close in on Dyche, who has worked wonders during his five years at Burnley. The former defender has established the minnows as a Premier League club despite operating on a shoestring budget that is the lowest in the English top flight. Dyche is not glamorous or sexy or even particularly exciting, but he is a brilliant organiser who knows how to get the best out of the players at his disposal. He has a proven track record, knows English football inside out and is at a time in his career when he is ready for a big challenge. Crucially, he has his best years ahead of him and could stick around for years if things work out. Dyche could be a brilliant appointment by Everton.