Everton are weighing up a move to make former Arsenal midfielder Patrick Vieira their next manager, according to the Metro.
The newspaper report that majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri is a big fan of the 41-year-old, who has been learning the managerial ropes in the MLS with New York City.
The Metro claim that Moshiri wants to replace current boss Sam Allardyce with a dynamic young manager, and the Toffees would be able to offer a significant increase on his current £2million-a-year salary.
It is said that Vieira has been touted for a senior position within the Manchester City group, of which New York City are a member, but the Premier League champions would not stand in his way should he wish to return to England with another side.
OPINION
This would certainly be an interesting move from Everton, and a pretty surprising one at that. Vieira has long been earmarked as a future Premier League manager, with many seeing him as a potential Arsenal manager. However, it is still early days in his coaching career, with the former France international having only managed New York City for two years, and having no senior experience in a European league. For Everton to take a punt on him at this stage would be a bold move, and one that would only go one of two ways. In truth, the Toffees would be much better served going with a manager with Premier League experience this summer. They need a manager who will be able to turn them into a side that will challenge for Europe, and Vieira is too much of an unknown quality for that. A return for Marco Silva looks a good move.